Manticore MB6 power supply

I have a Manticore Mantra with a Heed Orbit power supply (plug n play version). From what I've read over the years, the Heed is comparable to the Hercules power supply. The Manticore MB 5 better than that. The MB6 is considered to be at the same level as a Lingo 1. So I wouldn't replace it with a Heed Orbit but would first try to get it repaired. It's worth speaking to a dealer e.g. Darren at Class A in Sheffield.

Only if that fails would I seek alternatives.  I'm not sure what would be compatible. But as the Mantra uses a standard AC Premotec motor it's worth having a look. Discussion of power supplies from other companies is a sensitive topic on this forum. Have a look over on the other forum too.

Thanks for your help. When I next visit my dealer I'll take the power supply with me and leave it with them for as long as it takes to resolve the hum issue by trial and error.

The MB6 really does lift the sound quality of my Mantra to another level, so I'm loathe to scrap it. Apart from the hum, it sounded superb through the system at my dealer.

If I could suggest one thing - plug your TT ower supply into a different circuit than NAIM. They should both be happier that way.

Adam,

I'm sure my dealer will do everything they can to minimise the hum when they install my new system.

The Mantra with MB6 PSU is an excellent deck - Add the late "super bearing" and a Musician arm and you had a very serious front end indeed.

Is the hum coming from the MB6 itself or manifesting itself through the system?

Richard,

My Mantra does have the Megabearing and Musician arm. Also, it has the fibrelam subchassis and the motor rebuild. It is truly superb.

In my own system, (Pro-ject Phono Box SE phono pre-amp, Cyrus 6 amp, Quad 11L speakers) the hum is only noticeable when the volume is turned up to just below half way, which is probably as loud as I play music. Also, in my own system, it sounds like there is more hum was coming from the Phono Box and it is not obvious when music is playing.

Through the Naim system at my dealer the hum was audible at lower volumes. When the MB6 was removed from the system, there was no hum.

Hopefully, a service will sort it out my MB6 is over 20 years old. My Mantra turntable was serviced just 6 weeks ago by the same person who sold me the deck in the mid 1980's!

Just a quick thought. You've probably sorted it this. I get hum if the ground/earth wire attached to the tonearm cable is not hooked up to my amp.

Lanesra

Does your MB6 struggle to start the platter, if it does, it need the 2 large electrolytic caps replacing. I bought an MB6 about 3 or 4 years ago, it struggled to rotate the platter and made a load humming at startup, cured by new caps.

Does your MB6 run hot, it it does it may be worth taking a look inside. Mine always ran hot, very hot. About 9 months ago it stopped working. Looking at the photos below, it obvious why.

I replaced the MB6 PCB with a Hercules PCB, (this is a drop in replacement for the Valhalla board on the LP12). It’s not a drop in replacement in the MB6, but only involves moving the PCB standoffs (drilling 4 small holes in the base) and enlarging the hole for the switch on the Perspex facia. It doesn’t sound as good as the MB6, not quite as dynamic, but it is very good. Although to be fair the MB6 was supposed to be better than a Lingo 1.

The advantage of putting the Hercules in the MB6 case, is the transformer provides isolation from mains noise.

Fatcat, so much for Manticore's supposed "lifetime" guarantee!

I know nothing about electronics, so i wouldn't be able to do what you did. I can't even make out which component "fried" in your first photo! If something like that happened with my power supply, it seems like the thing to do would be to get my Mantra modified so I can use a Lingo power supply.

I always give the platter a helping hand when starting a listening session and I keep the platter rotating when changing LP's, so I'm pretty sure my MB6 runs fine. When it goes for a service, all the capacitors and resistors will probably be replaced anyway.

If you do end up looking to change the MB6 then I would consider a Heed Orbit 1 instead of either the Hercules or even Lingo 1.   

Richard, replacing my MB6 will be a last resort. It's just that Warwick posted earlier in this thread that the MB6 is supposed to be equivalent in quality to the Linn Lingo Mk 1.

Just to let you know that yesterday I went to the Sound Organisation in York, one of the reasons for my visit was to pick up my newly serviced MB6.

I am delighted to report that after all 18 capacitors were replaced, it works fine and my Mantra sounds fantastic again. With probably further improvement to come as the power supply warms up.