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Manley Steelhead or others?.....


Hello, I've been lurking for some time now and would like to solicit some opinions regarding phono stages.

I run an Oracle V w/turbo supply SME V w/ Helikon and Benz Ruby through to stacked or single Quad ESLs....Amps are Futterman, Marantz 8b and various vintage.

Presently I use a ARC SP 8 with a Counterpoint SA 2.

Would like to make a jump in the front end. I really like the idea of the Manley as I listen primarily to vinyl and FM ...CD is a long shot 3rd. So the idea of a great phono stage and one line input works for me. Other considerations were the CAT, Hovland and perhaps the Atmasphere MP 3. The Aesthetix is nice but would cause me some type of neurosis with the tube complement...and the price would be out of this world with the volume control options. Fit finish are important as are reliabilty.I can buy the Hovland Atmasphere and Manley relatively locally...no chance on the CAT or Aesthetix. Used is good as the savings would be a definite advantage but the budget should be under 7K. The ARC Ref would be a contender but no line stage and I'm trying to avoid that if possible.

Any thought or first hand experience on the Manley or others mentioned?....TIA,

Nick
nkj
gladstone
296 posts
 
Get the Manley.
brunogolf
35 posts
 
I have owned a CAT Ultimate for a year now and they are built like a tank with a phono stage that is extremely liquid...i have a vinyl front end....the CAT is magical!
rlapporte
62 posts
 
You are correct that the Aesthetix is higher maintenance but is a wonderful unit. It is also a little noisy but beautiful sounding. The Manley is wonderful, reliable, flexible, and like many tube units, improved with NOS tubes. I have not seriously listened to the others that you mentioned, but I think the Manley is a serious bang for the buck unit. I personally like the Helikon more than the Benz through the Manley, but I am using a different table system than you. For the Helikon, I would try 200 ohms with the gain at 60db (the second to highest). Quite magical!
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
I may as well confuse things by suggesting a fourth option.

Aesthetix has three new offerings, the Rhea, Calypso and Janus. The Janus is preamp and phono combined with remote control, selectable loading for MC and MM cartridges and a de mag built in.

I had all these units here for the manufacturers advertising photo needs and compared to the big Signature Aesthetix units (which I own). All these new reasonably priced series are remarkable performers and the Janus at $6500 (retail), is stunning.

An Audiogon member who is part of my listening group compared this Aesthetix to his BAT VK50 SE and BAT VK75se. He was surprised that the Aesthetix was superior in virtually every way. When the audition was made, the Aesthetix had less than six hours on it and the audition lasted only one evening.

As for the Manley, another member of my group just sold his Steelhead, replacing it with Aesthetix. Test was made using his Walker Turntable, Koetsu cartridge and ARC Ref 2 Mk 2 pre.

I think this new line from Aesthetix is worthy of your audition.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Agree Brunogolf! I own a SL1 Mk 3 with a phono stage & it is magical for my analog front-end as well!!

FYI for the others: TAS has an extensive review of the Io phono & the Calisto line stage in the present issue. These units are ludicrously expensive & the reviewer seemed to really like them.

Is it a true statement to say that Musical Surroundings makes Aesthethix? or do they just import them? Import them from where? Thanks!

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