Decware Zen phono preamp vs Schiit Mani 1 phono preamp

Fully loaded, the MC Up-Transformer is part of the upgrades not shown in the video.

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

Advantage to the Mani is that it can be hidden away. It's hard to hide that Decware. I own the Mani 2. Love it with the Nagaoka 100.

[@drde4010]

Glad to hear that 👍

[@MDchaz]

Schitt said they will be coming out with a tube phono stage in 2024, that would make a very cool comparison.

[@drde4010]

That will be interesting

[@bradwebb6927]

Fwiw I just got the Schiit Skoll and I’ve gotta say it’s the best phono ive heard on any non-demo system. Absolutely dead silent (with balanced outs to my Freya+) and gains up quiet so you can try different gain stage tactics. Worth checking out IMHO

[@Rockapotamus91]

After years in this hobby I have learned that price doesn’t always equal performance, I tested a load of speakers recently up to $2,000 and came away with the $600 Wharfedale diamond 12.2 as the best of the bunch.

[@christophernoto]

“I actually still prefer the Mani…” are words I never thought I would hear. Anywhere. ❤ I love what you do. Thanks! (Oh, yeah. The left channel of my faithful, 50 year old Sansui amplifier has just died, so I ordered a Schiit Vidar to fill its place while I get it repaired. It’s so hard to wait!)

[@greggb681]

I have a Mani 2 and its great! I am using a Rega P6 with a Nagaoka MP-200. Great channel and am so happy I subscribed!

[@sopasadena1499]

Love my mani 2. Works well with Grado prestige gold and mofi studio tracker.

[@sopasadena1499]

If you like the OG Mani you’ll love the new schiit skoll class a balanced remote phono pre. Perhaps a new standard in phonostages

[@drde4010]

I’ll give it a look thanks for mentioning it

[@tomaseriksson4533]

I used the Mani with Nagaoka MP110 that was a combination that has a too thin sound for my taste. Same with Denon DL103/DL103r with the MC input. With Denon DL103/DL103r and a CineMag step up transformer it sounded great with a lot of bottom.

[@Hellahifi]

Thanks for this vid. Will definitely consider a mani as a permanent to semi permanent pairing with my zen amp, i should hopefully receive within the next year. I had also considered running my re-capped marantz 2245 phono stage for a bit but didn’t know how it would go. I know you’re a fan of tone control.. I wonder if you have any thoughts considering you also know the zen amp?

[@jtavegia5845]

Many times with tube gear you need to use a ground life adaptor, which removes the ground pin from your AC, if it uses as IEC cable. I have a Mani 2 which I think is a steal for $150. My two box Vincent in on my new Technics SL-100C and I changed out the AT cart for the Shure M97 with the JICO stylus and like it very much. The one phono stage I wish I had kept was a Monolithic Sound which I think was the best I've own and it was under $500 when I bought it. We audiophiles can never sit still for long, can we? My Mani 2 is with my AT-30PK table with the AT VM95E cart and I use it with my Magni headphone amp and my AKG K612s. That set up works nicely for me. The Technics I use a Schiit Asgard and a pair of the AKG K701s.

[@drde4010]

That interesting I never tried that plug and I have several set aside. In the end I’m quite amazed with these Mani Phobos stages. They are very holographic.

[@jtavegia5845]

Schiit is a great company and makes good sound available to many who don't have tons of money to spend. @@drde4010

[@Charles12509]

This is off subject but I need to tell you what I did to my system, I wasn’t happy with the Primaluna sound with my Forte IVs, so I took a leap and put the Pass Labs XA-25 amp and Pass Labs XP-12 pre into my system…oh my it’s a insane improvement…have you tried the pass labs gear…from what I have found out the XA-25 or int-25 is the best fit..it’s so good after two weeks I sold my EVO 400 amp and all my tube stuff…you need to try this if you haven’t already…

[@drde4010]

As time went on we concluded that the Evo was not as good a match for the Heritage series because the Evo is pretty bright sounding. The Pass gear sounds sweeter in tone.

[@Charles12509]

@@drde4010…have you tried the Pass XA-25? I tried it with the Dialogue Premium preamp it was just ok but with the Pass XP-12 preamp it really made the Fortes come to life..I have had Decware amps, Had and Eaton…they sound ok but not as good as this Pass amp it is the most perfect match for these speakers…and I have a pair of Fortes I bought new in 1986 and did the Crites upgrades and it really sounds glorious too..I would love to see you review the Pass…

[@drde4010]

@@Charles12509 I have reviews of the pass first watt amplifiers but nothing else from Nelson Pass.

[@Charles12509]

@@drde4010 if you ever get the chance grab the XA-25…the bass is so much better then the first watt amps..and every is better then the Fist watt…the Sit-4 should be available soon that will be interesting…

[@a3marketing991]

I have a Pass Labs XP-12 and it was a huge upgrade from my previous Doge 8 tube preamp. Pass Labs convinced me that SS can be great.

[@kobush18]

Honest review and helpful 👍💯

[@rickg8015]

I’m late to the party here.. What coupling cap upgrades where done to the Decware?? How about the RIAA EQ filter caps?

[@michaelgreene5703]

i thought declare was around $1400 and only moving magnet unless you get a step up transformer?

[@drde4010]

My apologies, you are correct. With the upgrades I believe my friend who owns it has the MC up-transformer but since I only use MM, I didn't use it. I should have explained that. Totally my fault.

[@jonthompson8807]

Memeber when the dec was $1200

[@pierresternegard6951]

No wonder you prefer the Mani when you use a Nagaoka.. not that good with other cartridges

[@drde4010]

I used it with my other cartridges as well and it’s the same thing. It should play is good or better using Nagaoka MP200 so I have no idea where you got that idea.

[@pierresternegard6951]

@@drde4010 i have found the Mani to be a one trick pony. To be very sluggish and unnatural with a wide variety of cartridges

[@drde4010]

@@pierresternegard6951 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipKkg3Vobb97odksi=v_DUWFwmwBYKbk9j

[@pierresternegard6951]

@@drde4010 Yeah and I have told him so. Those tests he has made over there in Singapore are not very scientific or believable.. zero measurements as well.

[@drde4010]

@@pierresternegard6951 cmon man are you just another Amir at audio science review. You need measurements to tell you what’s good? You can’t listen for yourself?