I had a Steelhead for approximately 6 years that I bought new. I used a variety of NOS tubes, very good power cord (K-S emotion) and experimented with the different inputs and settings. The best results were obtained by using it only as a phono stage, through the fixed outputs, with a good quality line stage (at the time, a Lamm L2). I also preferred the MM inputs to the step-ups on the two cartridges I was using: a Lyra Titan i and an Airtight PC-1. I found that the addition of the line stage gave more weight and palpability to the sound; the Steelhead straight in had great bass and high frequencies, but sounded almost threadbare. Granted, I may have been adding an additional layer of cables and signal processing to the chain which is, in theory, not a 'purist' approach but that was my real world experience over the long haul, and not just a fast try-out of the piece or hearing it in someone else's system. The 'lack of meat on the bone' is precisely the difference I am describing, btw.
Anyone modded a Steelhead?
Besides rolling the tubes,which I've done,has anyone swapped out any caps (which ones/where ?)or done any other modding to this nice phono stage?
I run mine directly into my power amps(tubes),but I feel I could use a bit more fullness.
What I don't want to do is run it into another pre-amp, there's just too many wires and circuits to contend with to my way of thinking if I went that route.
I should add I did upgrade to a HiFi Supreme fuse and this positive experience leads me to believe there might be some other parts in the Steelhead that could be improved.
I run mine directly into my power amps(tubes),but I feel I could use a bit more fullness.
What I don't want to do is run it into another pre-amp, there's just too many wires and circuits to contend with to my way of thinking if I went that route.
I should add I did upgrade to a HiFi Supreme fuse and this positive experience leads me to believe there might be some other parts in the Steelhead that could be improved.