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Manley Labs Professional High-Fi Audio Gear

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  #1  
Old 11-21-2010, 02:58 AM
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Default Manley SteelHead owners at AA ?

Hi Folks,

Do we have owners of this wonderful phono preamp here ?
I read many reviews of it, from Tone Audio and others, and it looks to be a very special one, with a large, big, warm sound.
At 7500 US $, considering all its features, it is a very attractive phono preamp in my opinion.

Cheers,
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Old 11-21-2010, 11:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C220MC275 View Post
Hi Folks,

Do we have owners of this wonderful phono preamp here ?
I read many reviews of it, from Tone Audio and others, and it looks to be a very special one, with a large, big, warm sound.
At 7500 US $, considering all its features, it is a very attractive phono preamp in my opinion.

Cheers,
Jerome.......I own the Steelhead its one of my favorites
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  #3  
Old 11-21-2010, 11:49 AM
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Old 11-22-2010, 12:45 AM
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While I don't own one, I did live with it for about six months...
Really great, especially if you have more than one turntable! Easily adjustable from the front panel.

If you don't need the remote option, there is the occasional used "older model" around. Not bad either.

EveAnna makes great stuff. I think you will enjoy it, if you'd like that "slightly romantic" sound.
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Old 11-22-2010, 01:20 AM
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Would be fun, I'm currently using a Project Tube Box II.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tonepub View Post

EveAnna makes great stuff. I think you will enjoy it, if you'd like that "slightly romantic" sound.
I have a Manley Stingray integrated amp...very happy with the build and performance.
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Old 11-22-2010, 02:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonepub View Post
While I don't own one, I did live with it for about six months...
Really great, especially if you have more than one turntable! Easily adjustable from the front panel.

If you don't need the remote option, there is the occasional used "older model" around. Not bad either.

EveAnna makes great stuff. I think you will enjoy it, if you'd like that "slightly romantic" sound.
Jeff, thanks for your answer.
At this price, 7500 $, what are the other phono stages I should listen to ?
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Old 11-22-2010, 02:43 AM
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The Nagra VPS, about $7500. Not as many inputs, tougher to set loading, but smaller, cleaner design, more of a "modern" tube sound compared to the steelhead.

The AVID Pulsare, $5000. Solid state, but excellent quality, very neutral, killer bass big dynamics, super quiet.

ARC Ph7, I think about $6000

CJ TEA2 SE, about 5000 again a bit on the warm side but very good.

Of course Ivan will tell you to check out the Aesthetix Rhea.


Personally, I'd have a tough time between the Nagra and the Manley...
With the AVID a close second.
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Old 11-22-2010, 04:58 AM
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Personally, when I listened to the Steelhead, warm and tubey were not my views of it.

It was far more neutral and more like SS IMO. maybe I never ran it in.

At the time my then Pass Xono was warmer

Last edited by turntable; 11-22-2010 at 05:02 AM.
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Old 11-22-2010, 09:30 AM
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Thanks friends ! highly appreciated !
Jeff, do you plan to test the Linn Uphorik ?
much cheaper and SS but it received many impressive comments in Europe....
Cheers,
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Old 12-08-2010, 10:07 PM
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Jerome

The Nagra VPS is a great phono amp. Setting loading does require you to unscrew the lid and use some tweezers to plug in the loading cards but this not too hard once you get the hang of it. It certainly does not lend itself however to fiddling with values like the Rhea or ref 2 Phonos will allow.

Tha Avid has me intrigued though somewhat.

Howie

Quote:
Originally Posted by tonepub View Post
The Nagra VPS, about $7500. Not as many inputs, tougher to set loading, but smaller, cleaner design, more of a "modern" tube sound compared to the steelhead.

The AVID Pulsare, $5000. Solid state, but excellent quality, very neutral, killer bass big dynamics, super quiet.

ARC Ph7, I think about $6000

CJ TEA2 SE, about 5000 again a bit on the warm side but very good.

Of course Ivan will tell you to check out the Aesthetix Rhea.


Personally, I'd have a tough time between the Nagra and the Manley...
With the AVID a close second.
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