2. analog
  3. 1069817321

Aesthetix IO vs. Manley Steelhead vs. The Groove

For those who have heard at least two of these, please compare the sound quality of any of the following three phono preamps:

1. Aesthetix IO or IO Signature
2. Manley Steelhead
3. The Groove

Let me know what you think of the sonic biases
and flaws in these products as well as what each does especially well. Any t/t and cart recommendations which work especially well with any of these would be recommended.


Thanks,

Ray Hall
rayhall
gladstone
296 posts
 
Has anyone else compared the Aesthetix IO to the Manley?
gladstone
296 posts
 
And what about the Walker phono stage?
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
Jacob, I would add the Vendetta Gen. II to your short list...it should be available later this year and may render everything else irrelevant...I plan to get one built into my CTC Blowtorch preamp...drop me a line if you'd like info, and do come for a listen while in Chicago...

Brian Walsh
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
The Walker Audio phono stage is a true SOTA contender based on listening to it in Lloyd's system. Given my biases, I don't prefer it over my Io Signature, but it is incredibly good.
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Gladstone, I have compared the Walker to Io in my system. Louis Gennarelli (another Audiogon member) and I compared the Walker, IO and Manley in his system. Both of us believe the Io is in a league all it's own.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1052857830&openusid&zzLogenn&4&5#Logenn

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1064264455&openusid&zzLogenn&4&5#Logenn

As for tweaks, here is the link to my ravings:

http://audiogo1.iserver.net/cgi-bin/forum5.pl?aamps&980918116&read&keyw&zzaesthetix

The Walker is a distant third place among these in my opinion. I love my Walker TT, motor controller and HDL's, but the phono and I never bonded.
More to discover