fsonicsmith, You must be one of the younger guys around here. For most of my audiophile life (i.e., since the early 1970s), the term "preamplifier" meant a device that included a linestage and a phono stage, all in one. So, when you mentioned the Ref6 in the same breath with the Steelhead, I initially assumed it was what some now call a "full function" preamplifier, a linestage cum phono stage, because I am stuck in the past perhaps. I then did some reading on the Ref6 and found that it is indeed "only" a linestage and also that it costs roughly twice as much as the Steelhead. I apologize for that. Given its cost and sophistication, I am sure the Ref6 is great at doing its job. But I don't see how you can compare its SQ to that of the Steelhead, unless you are saying that you prefer it to the sound of the output stage of the Steelhead, if the latter is used as a full function preamplifier. The little bit of tweaking that I did to my unit affects mainly the output stage; I wouldn't want to touch the RIAA correction circuits. (I use mine as a full function preamplifier.)
I beg to differ with you on the relative functions of a linestage vs a phono stage. The latter is a much trickier proposition, circuit-wise. Much more complex. Phono stages do more amplification of the input signal than any other piece of gear in the chain, including the amplifier. Whereas, in most cases the input (from a phono stage, CDP, etc) to a linestage needs no further amplification in order to drive an amplifier. Gain added in the linestage is usually needless and, as you say, is then attenuated at the output. Which is why I would say that the power supply of a phono stage is more critical to its excellence or lack thereof.
I love my Steelhead too, but I love it much more since I tweaked it a tiny bit. Evanna Manley seems to be a very "hip" person; I am not sure she would say that what I did would void any warranty, but as my Steelhead is several years old, I am guessing I have no warranty to worry about. I can well understand that you may be concerned on those grounds about your unit.
I beg to differ with you on the relative functions of a linestage vs a phono stage. The latter is a much trickier proposition, circuit-wise. Much more complex. Phono stages do more amplification of the input signal than any other piece of gear in the chain, including the amplifier. Whereas, in most cases the input (from a phono stage, CDP, etc) to a linestage needs no further amplification in order to drive an amplifier. Gain added in the linestage is usually needless and, as you say, is then attenuated at the output. Which is why I would say that the power supply of a phono stage is more critical to its excellence or lack thereof.
I love my Steelhead too, but I love it much more since I tweaked it a tiny bit. Evanna Manley seems to be a very "hip" person; I am not sure she would say that what I did would void any warranty, but as my Steelhead is several years old, I am guessing I have no warranty to worry about. I can well understand that you may be concerned on those grounds about your unit.