I am thinking of going for a Manley steelhead and have read many great reviews. One thing that is mentioned consistenly is that it is a little lean. Does that translate to the music being a little too revealing on the not so good recordings?. Or does it make these recordings sound better and easier to listen to compared to warmer sounding phono stages?
me I want to to be able to listen and enjoy all my records, so ultra revealing is not something I am looking for in any phono stage.
Downunder - I'd recommend Telefunken CCa's if you can find some. They have a certain sonic purity which is great for phono applications. Before the Telefunken's I had the early Siemens CCa's which are "highly regarded" and found them screechy. Side by side, the Telefunken CCa's rule.
Now.. the trick is to find a good replacement for the harsh sounding 7044's.
Not really. It's my reference, and has been for a few years now. There are a few other great ones worth auditioning like the BATVK 10SE, but the Manley's flexibility can't be beat. I use the stock tubes.
Mikey. It is yourself and other reviewers that enable guys like me outside the US to know what is available and what might take our fancy. I am looking forward to hearing the steelhead and if I like it to power up my old Linn.
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