First post
Own the Steelhead paired with Snappers for some time, Vinyl sounded superb, but CD at line input lagged somewhat behind.. then I found out that the Steelhead does not offer any gain at line input. So..
I started wondering / thinking that the NC300B would surely help the gain issue..

So, I bought the NC300B preamp unseen, unheard, but I was confident, although I had reservations about adding loads of parts in the signal path yet again, never mind the extra interconnect and powercord..

The NC300B linestage was the best decision made.
This goes even further, i dare to claim that any Steelhead or as a matter any Manley Snapper or NC250 owner has never heard those without the NC300B.
Most of time we see Steelhead owners selling it eventually, the same accounts for poweramps.

So, strongly suggest going full Manley.
Just order the NC300B and experience the same. Guaranteed next level.
I do not experience them as beeing warm, tubey or full sounding.

Manleyfied.

Me too!!!

I've got a Steelhead on order. I've a question to all you Steelhead owners. I read this in a owners feedback " I can select w/out having to patch cables. Running the fixed outputs to the line in & sending the vari outs to the amp is the most transparent option."
Sorry if I'm a bit mystified by this, hows it done without cable patching. How are the switches on the Steelhead set to do this?

Hey Steelhead Guru's out there, Ok I'll put it another way. On the Steelhead can you use a pair of patch cables & connect the fixed outputs to the line in (which supposedly/hopefully gets better performance using the variable output) ?

The Steelhead has no gain at line section, so doing that you only insert another interconnect loop. If you really want to hear what the Steelhead is capable (at Line and Phono) insert the NC300B ! :thumbsup:

Thanks 4RE, I'd asked EveAnna and she said the same. After just buying the Steelhead and NC250's I'll have to wait a while before adding any more kit but thanks for the tip, that certainly looks like the way to go.

Anyone roll a quad of Tung-sol 5687 ladder plates into Steelhead, what is the end result?

Ed

I completely agree
when me insert NC300B after steelhead - sound has become more full