Anyone have experience with the PH-1000 and tube stage

I replaced the load resistors in my Steelhead with “nude Vishay” resistors sold by Texas Instruments, TX2575. To my ears these easily surpass the S102 in transparency. Also, you’re missing a bet if you don’t replace the coupling capacitors (see above). You might change your mind about the VTL if you try the cap mod.

Lewm

Thanks very much for sharing your experience and the detailed suggestions — I really appreciate you taking the time to outline what you’ve tried with your Steelhead.

I’ve just taken delivery of a brand-new RC, so for now my plan is to spend some time with the unit exactly as Manley designed it, let the tubes settle in, and get a firm baseline on its sound in my system before I consider any internal changes. I may do some careful tube rolling down the line, but I’d like to get to know the stock voicing first and fully understand how it interacts with my cartridges and setup.

Once I’ve lived with it for a while, I’ll revisit the question of upgrades — but I want to be sure any modifications are genuinely necessary and consistent with the design intent, especially on a new unit still under warranty.

Thanks again for the insight — it’s always helpful to hear what others have tried, even if I’m not quite ready to start doing surgery on mine just yet.

Lewm:

Just saw the earlier post.  

Thanks for the thoughts — and yest that was just my own description, not something I quoted. I agree the hybrid autoformer/active setup raises interesting questions, but without a published schematic I’m happy to trust Manley’s design choices for now. Since mine is brand new, I’m planning to live with it stock and get a solid baseline before diving into theory or mods. Appreciate the discussion.

Good idea not to void the warranty by modifying it. I bought mine pre-owned from canada, out of warranty. So I felt free to alter the parts as I did.

ulcerdoc

I own a PH-1000 as well. Whilst I can't answer your question directly, I have had the chance to listen to both the PS-1000 and PS-1250 power supplies at home hooked up to my PH-1000. The context being that I bought the former of a friend who has upgraded to the PS-1250 which he brought round today for a listen!

Each power supply elevates the performance of my system. To my ears, each  improves upon every aspect of the sound and essentially gives you more of the same, ie, more depth, more bass more treble etc. To my ears the PS-1250 is definitely better than the PS-1000 and elavates things a little higher than it...