Manley Labs Oasis Phono Stage
The logical successor to the legacy Chinook, our new OASIS Phono Stage deploys our modern dedicated power supply and construction to usher a new series of Manley preamplifier designs to your home. Named after one of our dearest Mastering Studio partners, the OASIS carries forth the clean and precise audio circuits of the prior Steelhead and Chinook audio paths into a new age of high fidelity preampfification offerings from Manley Labs.
Like the Steelhead, each channel employs the two triode sections of a 6922 for amplifying duties assisted by low noise FETs receiving the signal below each cathode. Highly accurate passive RIAA equalization networks perform the decoding task to restore the originally intended frequency response to the audio signal. In the Oasis, the signal passes through no Integrated Circuits. There are ICs deployed in a servo configuration to apply a precise biasing voltage to the Gate of each FET, and you might notice some other chips who are performing some LOGIC functions to direct the turn on and shut down sequences invoking the MUTE relays to prevent unwanted bumps or noises when the unit is power cycling. Importantly, the signal is directly coupled from the gain stages to another 6922 dual triode serving as the output driver in a White Follower configuration. This output stage circuit is our favorite because of its super-low output impedance and beefy current-driving capabilities. It can drive long cable lengths and difficult loads, tube or solid-state. Bring it on. No wimpy cathode followers here!
The chassis is a new powder-coated over zinc passivated steel design which will be shared amongst 3 other upcoming new Manley preamplifiers. Through this efficiency we have splurged a bit and created a more luxurious housing with its large-radiused substantial top cover sporting smooth rounded side edges. Rounding out the casework, the frontal face is adorned by a 3/8” thick CNC milled facia with an intricately inlaid contrasting “racetrack” insert for visual interest. The OASIS moniker is laser-engraved into the oblong island on the façade. By popular request we have made the faceplates available in traditional “Manley Blue” aka “Pewter Grey”, Silver, or Black. Click on the main photo above to explore the color combinations.
