What's A Good Upgrade From A Manley Steelhead?


I'm on a mission to improve my vinyl front-end. Starting point is to replace the Graham 2.2 on my Basis Audio Debut Gold Vacuum, followed by a new compatible cartridge, next will be a different phonostage.

I like the Steelhead but I'm sure there's something better out there. I've around $8K  to play with and prefer to buy used. Has anyone stepped up from the Steelhead successfully, if so, what did you buy and how much of an improvement was it?

Appreciate any thoughts/ideas? 

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@whart don't try to be polite, feel free to lecture me. After all you spent a gazillion dollars on your rig, and I am ignorant because I did not (for two reasons, one is lack of $$$).  I'd be so happy to learn from you. 

But let's leave cars out of this, you seem very confused.

Ah….. even at the levels Bill frequents..for decades now, he realizes improvement is always possible…. No matter the $. Perhaps that could be your first lesson ?

My best to those who love music and the endless quest for better….

Thank you.

And your first lesson could be to lookup the word "upgrade" in the dictionary and figure out what it means. You are welcome.

This is why I frequent this forum less. Lack of knowledge, strong on opinion and nasty. GFY. 

You won't learn anything from me. 

what a loss...

Maybe if you hadn't been condescending and didn't assume things about me, we could have taught each other a few things, but oh well.

I did hear the Steelhead and a lot of phono preamps, side by side. Your argument that I had to own one to have a seat at the table made 0 sense to me. You don't have to own a rocket to have a PhD in the subject.