Manly Steelhead - any downside??

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.

Downunder, I also had noticable tube rush in my system with the Rhea. Very dynamic though. At medium volume, no tube rush at all in the phono stage with the Steelhead. At full volume there is only a slight amount of tube rush in the phono side and none in the line stage side. At normal listening levels (75-90db)I can't hear any noise from about 2 feet back when the needle is between tracks.