If boulder is tops what is second tier?

I have a bit of insight in having fairly extensive experience in my own system with both the Lamm LP2 and the Manley Steelhead. I ran the Lamm LP2 as my phono stage for a couple of years (2003-4) and ultimately replaced it with the Manley Steelhead, which I have been using as my phono stage for the past two years. My move to the Steelhead was for the purpose of gaining more flexibility with repect to gain and loading.

From a performance perspective, I found the two components to be very close. To my ears and in my system, however, the Manley was the winner. The bass is tighter and more extended, and the treble is better extended, more refined and airier, resolving that touch of darkness that is a signature trait of the Lamm electronics.

So, in my book, the Manley Steelhead ranks just a touch above the Lamm LP2.

Albert,

Wow, I have never seen you come out and blast someone like that!! If true, which I have no doubt that it is, it is very disheartning to know one of the higher profile manufacturers holds this view. Makes you wonder what he voices his gear with, Lamp cord??

Johnny

I spent some time with the Boulder phono as well as amps. They are really well built and have an abundance of really nice aluminum. They sound really nice too, but so do a lot of other things that cost a lot less. I think that there are more than a few phono stages that might match the boulder very well. If I had unlimited funds the boulder would probably not be on my short list but I can see why it would be on some peoples.

I always knew there was a reason I liked the moving force behind Boulder. How refreshing to find a SOA mfg. decrying the cable & pwr. cord cant populating the industry, it`s mags, E zines & attendant forums.

Interesting remark by the Boulder guy, about how all cables sound the same. Maybe, with a Boulder (or some other amp) they do. After all, the cables do something to the electrical load which the amp sees, and some amps handle loading anomalies better than others.

I guess my amps are not ideal, because Goertz cables do sound better than zip cord. Just a bit.