Phono Pre with regular Line Input

I have the phono cable in the MM connectors, and wow! What's interesting is that the audiophile in me is noticing this and that drawback; but it doesn't matter. Its as if a window's been opened to the soul of the recording! I'm hooked. Its 2AM in Phoenix, and it took all my discipline not to call my audio cohort and say "Get your a** over here!".
I'm not even using the highest gain setting! The 47K Ohms is unnecessary too. 200 is perfect.
Anyway, thread hijack complete. The Steelhead is something special.

Hijacking this thread is ok by me.
I assume you are using your Shelter 501mk2 in this MM setting.
How do you think of the noise level in MM setting (bypassing SUT).

I would love to hear your experience.
Thank you.

Its maybe slightly lower. Definitely not any worse. Go figure!

Hey Az,

Thanks for your reply,

I probably shouldn't need to ask you this, but is your MM gain level as same as your previous MC setting, say 60dB(MM) and 60dB(MC)?
This is turning into a thread that's going to lead me to purchase a used Steelhead!!!

I just don't understand how MM at high gain can sound less noisy than the MC setting.

I have not tried to use the Manley Stealhead as a preamp. But I will say that it is absolutely one of the finest phono stages in the world. I have owned most of them and the manley was the best in my system by a considerable margin. Here is a list of some that I have owned...

Tom Evens Groove+ SRX
BAT 10se with Super Pack and P-5
Aesthetix IO and Rhea
Sutherland PHD
Haggerman Trumpet ( I still own ) Absolutely the best for the money...Was better than the BAT, Aesthetix and Sutherland. It is second to only the Manley.

EAR 324 and 834p
Whest 2.0
Herron

You cant go wrong with a manley on the used market. I have by-passed the autoformers and extra gain stages. I placed the Bent Silver Mu's in front for further improvements.

Although, the manley by itself bested everything above. IMHO.