Preamp after Manley Steelhead?

Goatwuss -
If you don't get it I will explain. Stereophile ranked the Steelhead very highly as a stand alone preamp, not just as a phono pre-amp. Regardless of what you may think of that publication, I was suggesting that Mark passer use his Steelhead in such as fashion rather than running the output of his Steelhead through another preamp.

I'm taking the variable output from my Steelhead into my Pass X1 preamp. It sounds fine.

Notably, I am connecting my Sony SCD1 through the Steelhead, as well as directly. I mean, the balanced output from the SCD1 goes directly to the X1, while the single ended output goes to the Steelhead as a switch selectable line level input. By switching inputs on the X1 between the direct feed from the SCD1 and the Steelhead feed, I can compare the sound of the SCD1 going through the Steelhead (including the volume control) versus the direct feed using balanced circuits.

First, I noticed the volume via Steelhead was lower, even with the Steelhead volume control turned up all the way. When I inquired, Manley pointed out that balanced circuits typically will have bigger voltage amplitude and sound louder than single ended circuits. Also, the Steelhead circuitry imposes a slight attenuation.

Second, I can hear what sounds like better dynamic range and a darker background. The sound seems more lithe and natural. As a result, I now do all my serious SACD and redbook listening using the SCD1 via the Steelhead. (The main drawbacks so far are the gradually increasing need to replace the tubes in the Steelhead -- not a real concern, and having to wait for the Steelhead's delay circuit to kick in -- not a real issue for someone who is used to waiting for the SCD1 to load.)

Thanks a lot you all.
You were very helpful.

Cohnaudio, that's exactly my situation.
I have a Dyna DRT-XV1s with my VPI HR-X driving two BAT150SE Monoblocks and I was just asking myself whether to put a pre-amp or not afterwords.

Mark

The Steelhead on its own is a good preamp. I was a little annoyed when a local audio engineer looked inside the chassis and pointed out all the cheap, bad sounding components.... but intrigued by the thought of what could be possible with the Steelhead after a little mod work.

I used the Steelhead MM inputs and fixed output running into a LAMM L2 preamp. The LAMM improved on the Manley line/buffer considerably.

The sound of the Steelhead with stock Sovtek 6922's and (GE -JAN) 7044's is interesting but somewhat barbaric. Replacing the 6922's with Telefunken CCa's maintains the clarity of the Steelhead while adding a degree of sophistication in the form of less edge.

I think the stock 7044 tubes are the primary problem with the Manley line stage because they are quite harsh. I often felt as if I was being assaulted by the music. Trading in some Tung Sol 5867's seemed to immediately cure the harshness and sounded quite nice - but after a few hours warm up, the sound became dark & closed in. This is strange because in most applications, the TS 5867 is punchy and open sounding. Perhaps they are running the buffer stage too hot? Usually causes darkening with power tubes.

Ultimately, I left the 7044's in place. Even though they were harsh, I think they were more accurate than the TS tubes.

Anyhow.. Perhaps some 7119's would help? I don't know but would have liked to try them.

As stated above, I used the LAMM L2 with the Manley fixed output (bypass the buffer tubes). With the LAMM everything was just right.

Bwhite it did annoy me that your engineer found "cheap" parts. At $7300 retail it makes you wonder. Anyway I do love the sound of the steelhead and the great phono stage. I was leaning on rolling the stock tubes with siemens and bendix as another person mentioned in a tech thread. Any more ideas