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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? 

128x128rooze
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,380 posts
 

ASR Basis Exclusive; 

 

dhcod
710 posts
 

Find a Lamm LP2.1. I’ve heard a Steelhead and the Lamm would be a huge upgrade. They pop up used in your price range.

rooze's avatar
rooze OP
640 posts
 

@dhcod and @goofyfoot Thanks for the suggestions. Two units I’ve heard little about so I’ll do some reading…

Actually the ASR unit piques my curiosity as it’s battery powered. My preamp and power amps are also battery powered and I like what that brings to the sound. Has anyone here heard the ASR? Thoughts?

cheers

dhcod
710 posts
 

I had the ASR and I liked it better than the steelhead. it was my favorite solid state, way better than the EAR 324. It takes up a LOT of space. I also don't think it's in the ballpark of the Lamm. There's just something special about their products.

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,380 posts
 

@rooze I have the top tier ASR Emitter Exclusive II amplifier and then the ASR Mini Basis phono amp. The sound quality and build quality of the amplifier is a dream. The smaller phono stage is very good and because I only use a mono dedicated turntable, it currently meets all of my phono stage needs but at some point, I do hope to move up to their Basis Exclusive. Also, ASR customer service is directly with the designer and business owner himself. I have emailed him a number of times and he's always gotten back to me right away.

 

 

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