Manly Steelhead - any downside??

Money is an issue if you don't have it, even if it is the best. Otherwise, we'd all be driving Bentleys. $10K is a lot of money for a preamp, no matter how you slice it. It may very well be worth it if you have the money, but few have the money, especially when you consider that it is only one part of a system.

The best phono stage I've ever heard was a manley design. I don't really know how to describe it, except for the fact that it was so amazing that it made one believe you had an entirely new LP collection.

The retail price is $7300.

Jonathan
Chambers Audio

I agree about the sound. In particular, the mids and highs are clean and clear without any deemphasis of the low end. The sound is dynamic, emerging from a black background.

Downsides? Cost has already been mentioned. Also, having an extra chassis for the power supply eats rack space, and after a while I tire of waiting for the built-in delay circuit when switching sources, etc.

By the way, I have stayed with the stock tubes, reasonably happily. I'm curious to read about others' experiences with different tubes.

Downside is the cost obviously. But upside is abundant.
Now I am using the Steelhead as a full function preamp bypassing the line stage. To me the sound is pure and extremely open. No more line stage and one less interconnect. I didn't experience the lean sound you mentioned. Steelhead is my ultimate preamp that will last for a long while.