Manly Steelhead - any downside??

Richardmr, jikes the thor is expensive! n$US8490. that is a lot of aussie $.
Looks beautiful thou.
Gain information is conmflicting. specs say 55db MC which would not be enuf to drive my .3 xv-1s, but the printer friendly page has 78db. Big difference!

Jtimothya - I actually own the Thor linestage with phono MKII version, which is the newest. Through circumstance, I was able to get it at quite a reduced cost compared to retail. I believe retail is 13k. I did not have the opportunity to demo many products so I had to go on homework and faith. My personality is to always seek out the more obscure, and less written about, products. I like and pull for the little guys, as my entire system attests.

Sorry to include so many buzzwords but the Thor has terrific inner detail and a very wide soundstage. It, combined with the rest of my gear, is very non-fatigueing. Warm, with solid-state detail is how I would put it. It is locked in at 70db which gives off a small amount of tube rush but I attribute that to my 100db speakers. There is a lifetime guaranty aside from tubes and I don't plan to ever change it out. It's ROCK solid. Tapping on the top of the unit is like tapping on top of a 100 pound block of granite.

Downunder - As I mentioned above, the Thor is set at 70db with an added 8db of gain from the linestage section. The owner, Paul Marks, who is a great guy, says the stand-alone phonostage tops the linestage I own. Wow!

Greetings everyone, have not seen this thread for awhile. Looks like things have mellowed somewhat...

Sirspeedy, your findings mirror mine exactly with the phono tubes. While I still have not tried the Tele CCa's, the E88CC Teles were very detailed but on the clinical side. The white label Amperex 6922 PQ's are a the best value and would make a good reference set of phono tubes. They work equally well in my Supratek Grange. Whomever is buying Siemens CCa's, be careful. More than one set of faked sets have been sold to unsuspecting audiophiles for big money. When in that price league, talk to Andy or Brendan. Speedy...what 7044 style tube did you wind up with?

Shane, sorry to hear that the Steelhead did not pan out for you in your system. Good luck in your search.

Hi,
any more inputs to Steelhead??
I am using a XV-1s on a Kuzma Stabi Ref. with Mission Mechanic or Stogi Ref. tonearms, and an old but nice Audio Research SP 10, that is bloomy, smooth, liquid, but not with the ultimate resolution, speed and dynamics.
I am very interested in a Steelhead. Alternative way would be just a little DV P75 MkII or Whest PS 20 with a nice line stage, but the steelhead is more my favorite.
Thanks
Balazs

Holy thread revival- Batman!

I just got a new Tron Seven phono stage after talking with at least one other Tron owner who had a Steelhead, but then Auditioned the Tron Seven, and sold the STeelhead. He thought the Tron was far superior.

However it doesn't have any adjustability like the STeelhead (nor can it be used as a linestage or direct to amps. You choose the gain 60, or 70db and loading when ordering.

it's $4000 US.