StarlightDawn
Head-Fier
Build quality is very good and I have no concerns that it will stand up to long term use.
The click does not concern me. I don’t use the wheel as it is much easier using the remote. That still causes clicks (presumably relay switching?) but it’s no big deal. I only need to make large adjustments when changing headphones, otherwise, adjustments whilst listening are only very small which often causes no clicking anyway.
The knobs for fine tuning and the push-push switches all feel very good in use and make interacting with the unit quite pleasurable. I thought the rotary control knobs were a bit odd initially being so tall, but this actually helps in live use and they feel good.
Some people seem intent on finding things to criticise about things generally for some reason and very often without even owning or using a device, but I find the Manley to be very well designed, well built and sounds great whilst offering an excellent range of very useable variation. The only things that seem like genuine points are having the headphone outputs on the rear of the unit which doesn’t bother me, but I can see why it would put some people off the unit. Then the price - and high priced items do seem to attract proportionately more criticism.
The product reviews generally seem overwhelmingly positive and they are either all wrong or biased, or they are justified by the performance of the Absolute. As always, the only way to judge is to listen and make our own assessment - that’s all that counts really. But I do tend to agree with the reviewers which is why I own one. In particular, the range of adjustment on hand seems unmatched elsewhere and arguably provides all that you should ever need in one unit.
That's good to hear! I was a little skeptical about the build quality, noise, and distortion.
I'm now also considering the Feliks Audio Echo due to its price.. I think it's too risky if I were to get the Manley or Auris Nirvana straight away.
I'll give it some more thoughts over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!