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?
OP, Given the level of nuance we are talking about in Phono stages… I think you have to listen to an Audio Research to make up your own mind. To me they perfectly nail midrange bloom without being “warm” for the sake of warm. I can say that for me the ATC Reference 3SE is the best, musical, detailed phonostage I have ever heard. |
I rolled NOS Tele and Siemens among others in the Steelhead. Didn't change my conclusion. Perhaps @lewm is correct about the cause of what I called a slight electronic glaze. I'm not a follower of one brand. I had ARC stuff starting in around 1974-5 and carried on with it until the '90s. Kept my SP-10mkii preamp for the longest- too noisy for my horn based system and finally sold it as well. I still have a Dual 75a that I bought new in around 1975, pretty much unmolested, but needs attention before I put it back into service. My only recommendation to the OP is to try to hear this gear in your system, which may not be possible if you are buying used.
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Bill - frankly, i was way more interested in what caps @lewm had sitting bench in the parts drawer….and i would rather talk Beveridge…. alas…. been a long time since i heard or sold a well sorted system from Harold and Roger…. ah…youth |
@drbond Thanks - I just sent an email to Brent to see what he has. I've bought from him in the past and his suggestions are usually spot on. |
