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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
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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albertporter
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Bombaywalla, Musical Surroundings is a marketing and importing company. They bring in Benz (Switzerland), Koetsu (Japan) and Clear Audio (Germany). They represent several US products such as Graham, Basis, Aesthetix, Record Research, Cable Research and others .

Aesthetix is manufactured in Tujunga, California by Jim White (ex Theta designer). Musical Surroundings represents the line and (possibly) exports Aesthetix to other parts of the world.

You are correct that the Aesthetix Io and Callisto Signature series (with dual supplies) are very expensive. Retail is $25,000.00 without the available remote control. The new Saturn series including the Janus (which I suggested), is an evolution of the more expensive pieces. Granted there are fewer tubes and a less ambitious power supply, but the results are a stunning achievement, especially at the price.

As for the review from TAS. I am happy for Jim and Musical Surroundings, but I decided this was a very important product in 1998 when I negotiated the purchase of mine. My only disappointment is that it took TAS and Stereophile so long to decide they were the best.
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rushton
2,445 posts
 
Just one point to add to Albert's comments and related to Nkj's original post about cost... The Aesthetix Io phonostage Mk II is available with volume controls and a single additional switched line level input for $9,000. It is designed to be able to drive an amplifier to full output directly, and it works quite well this way. One can upgrade from there at any later date. For complete pricing, see http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/aesthmkII.html.
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bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Thanks for the info Albert!

(killer analog front-end!!)
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