Phonostages — Manley STEELHEAD RC

The STEELHEAD RC is a flagship phono stage from Manley Labs, a well-established American manufacturer known for accomplished tube-informed electronics engineering, built with exhaustive loading flexibility. The STEELHEAD RC represents Manley's most ambitious current statement in phono-stage engineering.

Key specs that matter

Four single-ended inputs are provided. MM/MC voltage input impedance offers an exhaustive selection - 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ohms for MC cartridges, plus 100, 470, 800, 1000 and 47,000 ohms for MM cartridges - among the most comprehensive loading flexibility available in any phono stage. Output impedance is 150 ohms. Gain is selectable across 50, 55, 60 or 65dB, accommodating a wide range of cartridge output levels. Frequency response spans 20Hz to 20,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is a low 0.0042%. At 480 x 105 x 460mm and 6.8kg, the STEELHEAD RC represents a serious phono-stage commitment reflecting Manley's flagship-tier engineering ambition.

Sound and use context

Expect the exceptionally detailed, meticulously engineered character Manley's broader American catalogue is celebrated for, with the exhaustive loading and gain flexibility allowing precise optimisation for virtually any cartridge.

Pairing

The exhaustive loading and gain selection accommodates virtually any moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridge precisely.

Alternatives

Manley's broader electronics catalogue offers alternatives for buyers wanting a different configuration.