Manley Steelhead

Manley Dealer Disclaimer***

I have a few customers that use the Steelhead as a phono stage only, and few more that use it as the linestage and phono stage in their setups. I personally think the linestage portion of the unit is very good, and really does not need a separate pre in the mix (unless you need more then one input).

It also works very well with low output carts. You have gain options of 50,55,60 and 65.

Taylor
Goldprint Audio

Manley Dealer Disclaimer***

I have a few customers that use the Steelhead as a phono stage only, and few more that use it as the linestage and phono stage in their setups. I personally think the linestage portion of the unit is very good, and really does not need a separate pre in the mix (unless you need more then one input).

It also works very well with low output carts. You have gain options of 50,55,60 and 65.

Taylor
Goldprint Audio

It has oodles of gain. I used it with a Titan i and an Airtight PC 1, my preferred gain setting was '55' if memory serves and I preferred it as a phono stage, using the fixed outputs feeding a separate line stage. Using it directly into the amps, I found it a little threadbare in the midrange on my system, although the bass was impressively deep and taut and high frequencies were very open- adding a separate line stage (at the time, a Lamm L2) gave it more weight and dimensionality. All of this may be system dependent, though.
I preferred the MM inputs to the MC inputs. I also rolled all the tubes and found the military grade NOS Telefunkens to produce the best result in my system in the 6922 slots; I used NOS Raytheons in the 7044 slots. I found the Mullards to be a bit too euphonic and the Siemens to be less 3d sounding than the Telefunken. Mine was the second version, but before the remote control feature, circa 2006?
It is a beautifully build piece, and Manley support is second to none. I had zero issues with the unit while I owned it.

Sorry for the double post above. No clue how that happened.