Manly Steelhead - any downside??

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.

The phono stage of the Steelhead gets wide praise. For those of us interested in a full function preamp, how does the line stage compare to the line stages of other preamps in its class/price category? I'm thinking of CAT, Aesthetix, etc. Please add your own relevant comparisons.

HOw much tube rush to you get at medium and loud volumes.

I just tried the Aesthetix Rhea and it had noticable tube rush and medium and loud volumes.