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BAT VK-P10SE w/Depth Charges & Manley Steelhead

I am looking for a new phono stage for my system. VPI Aries, JWM arm, Benz Ruby 2H, and a Lyra Helikon. Have owned the Aesthetix Io for about 6 years. Have not listened to my records in the past 4 years. I want to get back into it.

Although I did enjoy the sound of the Io, I want to try a different phono stage. I am considering the BAT VK-P10SE with Depth Charges and the Manley Steelhead. I did have the Lamm LP2 on my list, but the BAT and Manley have edged it out. No particular reason. I have considered the ASR unit, but I want tubes.

I have heard the VK-P10 in an other system many years ago and liked it. I have also heard the Manley at the Stereophile shows in NY. I liked the Manley also. Previous to the Aesthetix Io, I have owned and enjoyed the Audio Research Reference Phono and the PH-3 (with real nice Siemens 6922's)

For folks that have listened to both the BAT and Manley in the same system or have had the opportunity to listen to both extensively, can you tell me what the sonic differences are?

I am leaning toward the VK-P10SE with Depth Charges right now, mainly because of people saying the Manley is a little thin harmonically. I am not sure which way to go with this. I would enjoy reading some comments on both units.

Thank you.

Rich Maurin
rmaurin
rmaurin OP
74 posts
 
Rest of my system is Tenor OTL, Avalon Opus, TARA The One, EMM digital.

My Io is pre MkII. I never had it upgraded.

Rich
rgurney
279 posts
 
They are both superb, and different. I wouldn't describe the Manley sound as thin especially after rolling the 6922 tubes to NOS. Obviously the Manley has much more adjustment capability compared to the BAT. The Manley is an excellent linestage as well. Both are very quiet. As with all other equipment, there is system interaction.
rwd
695 posts
 
Hi Rich! I have to agree with Jfrech that the lo is (from what I've heard) a great phono pre-amp. I have not heard either of the two that you are interested in (the Bat and Manley). I am also interested in the Manley Steelhead, so I will follow this thread to see how you proceed and what you find.
I currently have a Rhea and I am quite happy with it. What I find MOST useful about the Rhea is the flexibility of the gain and load settings (especially the load).
Believe me there is a difference when I switch the loads on the Rhea. I can dial in the right (to me) sound that I like. The Manley is also very flexiable. I am not sure about the Bat, however.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Other than volume, what more can you adjust on the Manley? Now you can adjust things easier by not having to take the cover off the BAT...

The BAT VKP10SE with depth charges is a hec of phono stage. However, the newer Io mkII Sig will beat it. I've heard it numerous times at 2 friends houses. One friend went from a Manley to the Io mkII sig dual supplies. If you want the best, get the Io. If you want something that's much more plug and play, the BAT is a pretty good deal.

I've heard that same comment on the Manley, diff tubes or cartridge matching should help out. The BAT has the classic BAT sound...incredibly wet warm mids, big stage, deep tight bass soaring highs. The mids and the top end on the BAT may compete for best of class. The Io is better at inner detail, image size, flow, etc. The little things that mean so much.

The BAT does benefit by running it balanced, both input and output.
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