Manly Steelhead - any downside??

6 moons review online comparing Steelhead with Tom Evans Audio Design Groove+ makes an interesting read. The jist of it that the TEAD blows the SH away.

The Kong, Before having done any modifications or tube rolling with the Steelhead, I would rank those 3 as follows: MP1>Steelhead>Janus.  This is my Janus with upgraded coupling capacitors (using V Caps and polystyrene film and foil output capacitors on both the line and phono stages).  The stock capacitors in the standard non-Signature Janus really drag down its potential, IMO.  My MP1 is not stock, either.  My only problem with it is that one of the modifications I performed was to replace the bottom tube(s) in the phono input dual-differential cascode with a bipolar transistor, as used by Allen Wright in his RTP3C.  This gives the phono stage so much gain that it is unusable with all except very LOMC cartridges.  Not a bad problem to have, but I cannot run it with MM cartridges.  The Steelhead sounds very good with MMs in my basement system, as is.

Noromance, 6 Moons reviews are among the most unbelievable reviews to be found on-line, IMO, but I will take a look.  There are several other reviews or posts on Audiogon claiming that this or that phono stage is also superior to the Steelhead; I don't let stuff like that faze me. The TEAD is solid state, is it not?  I am still waiting to fall in love with any solid state phono stage.  Many are "very good", to my ears, but all so far fail to reach that juicy musical Nirvana I perpetually seek.  

I happen to have a stash of 6900s, but I use them in my amplifiers, two per chassis, and I am loathe to further diminish my supply.  However, in the past I had come to believe that 5687s (the parent of the 6900) can sound just as good in audio applications.  The 6900s are needed if you're building a guided missile, in 1965.

Lewm, thank you for the reply!  Purely based on reading of reviews and posts, my speculation actually matches your ranking of the 3 units.

 

It is just too bad that Atma-sphere doesn't have any agent in Hong Kong, I would love to have an audition!

I have paired my Manley Steelhead driving a pair of Pass 160.8s to my Avalons. After (1) week; my impressions are: Great pairing! Well balanced top to bottom, midrange to die for, superb imaging, DEAD QUIET!!!!  Bass control is the best and feel no need for a subwoofer. My room is pressurized at low, med, HIGH volumes. Missing that last bit of palpable imaging and air that tube amps could bring but will keep Dead Quiet and bass control !! Will be ordering some Siemens, Amperex, Tung Sol to do my (1st) tube rolling. I do not miss the Hyper Detail of my Spectral system. All the details are still there; Just more natural. No Fatigue!! Best equipment change that I have made in years. Even 26yr old JVC, CD player sounds great through the (1) line input - Only if I leave it on 24/7. Works for me though. Any Steelhead owners that have rolled tubes ; I am open and would appreciate all advice. Thanks