Manley Steelhead RC phono stage: rack-width tube phono preamplifier with metal faceplate, front-panel rotary controls for cartridge loading and gain, and an illuminated Manley badge; paired with its separate external power supply chassis.

MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI

$15,500.00
$15,500.00
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Manley Steelhead RC phono stage: rack-width tube phono preamplifier with metal faceplate, front-panel rotary controls for cartridge loading and gain, and an illuminated Manley badge; paired with its separate external power supply chassis.
  • Manley Steelhead RC phono stage: rack-width tube phono preamplifier with metal faceplate, front-panel rotary controls for cartridge loading and gain, and an illuminated Manley badge; paired with its separate external power supply chassis.
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • Manley Steelhead RC phono stage: rack-width tube phono preamplifier with metal faceplate, front-panel rotary controls for cartridge loading and gain, and an illuminated Manley badge; paired with its separate external power supply chassis.
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
  • MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI
MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI

MANLEY LABS Steelhead RC Phono Stage — Preamp / DI

$15,500.00
$15,500.00
Condition Brand New
Specs Verified model facts
Checked against 1 listing
Verified
Use Vinyl listeners running moving-coil cartridges who want autoformer-based loading (25-400 ohm taps) instead of resistive-only MC loading, owners of multiple tonearms or turntables (three independent phono inputs), and anyone who wants to dial in cartridge loading precisely — resistive loading…
Requires appropriate audio and data cables, compatible monitoring, mounting, or power setup
In stock Ask a question

Specifications

100 watts

Inputs & Loading

Phono inputs 3 phono inputs (2 autoformer, 1 resistive)
Autoformer (MC) load impedance 25 / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400 ohms (selectable)
Resistive (MM) load impedance 100 ohms to 47 kOhms (adjustable)
Capacitive loading 10-1100 pF, selectable in 10 pF steps
Line input Dedicated stereo line input (bypasses RIAA stage)
Connectors RCA (unbalanced) inputs and outputs

Gain & Performance

Gain 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 dB (selectable)
RIAA accuracy Deviation less than +/-0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Dynamic range 101 dB
Maximum output +27 dBm

Outputs & Control

Fixed output Fixed output (bypasses volume control), 150 ohms
Variable output Variable output (volume-controlled), 75 ohms, for direct power-amp drive
Remote control REMORA RF remote: motorized volume + mute, works through walls/cabinetry
Output muting Muting relays short outputs when powered off to prevent noise
Standby mode SLEEP standby mode (conserves power and tube life)

Tubes & Power

Tube complement 2 x Sovtek 6922 gain tubes + 4 x JAN NOS GE 7044 or 5687 output buffers
Power consumption 100 watts
Mains voltage 120-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz (factory-set for destination country)
Fuse ratings 1.5A main + 0.5A logic @117 VAC; 0.75A main + 0.25A logic @230 VAC

Physical

Dimensions (main unit) 19 in W x 3.5 in H x 15.5 in D
Dimensions (power supply) 13.5 in W x 4.5 in H x 11.375 in D; ~5.5 ft umbilical cord
Weight (main unit) 15 lbs
Weight (power supply) 18 lbs

Fit and constraints

Vinyl listeners running moving-coil cartridges … · 100 watts

Intended use

Use Vinyl listeners running moving-coil cartridges who want autoformer-based loading (25-400 ohm taps) instead of resistive-only MC loading, owners of multiple tonearms or turntables (three independent phono inputs), and anyone who wants to dial in cartridge loading precisely — resistive loading to 47 kOhms and capacitance adjustable 10-1100 pF in 10 pF steps, with 50-65 dB of switchable gain. Its stereo line input plus volume-controlled 75-ohm variable output let it double as a minimal tube line preamp driving a power amp directly, with RF remote volume/mute from the listening seat.
Not for Anyone needing balanced XLR connections (all inputs and outputs are RCA), buyers wanting a compact single-box phono stage (it is a two-chassis system — a 19-inch-wide main unit plus a separate 18 lb power supply with an umbilical), or listeners with a single MM cartridge and no interest in loading experimentation, for whom most of the Steelhead's adjustability and cost would go unused.

Constraints

Power100 watts
ControlsSource conflicts to note: the manufacturer specifies the resistive input as 100 ohms to...

To use it

Required appropriate audio and data cables, compatible monitoring, mounting, or power setup

Questions

3 to ask before buying

Which connections, drivers, operating systems, and sample rates are supported by this exact revision?

Ask before you buy via contact. Confirm power, condition grade, and included items against the listing photos.

What cables, mounts, power supplies, or licenses are included?

Ask before you buy via contact. Confirm power, condition grade, and included items against the listing photos.

Is the current retailer listing new stock, demo stock, open box, or special order?

Ask before you buy via contact. Confirm power, condition grade, and included items against the listing photos.

Description

Product details

The Manley Steelhead RC is a vacuum-tube phono preamplifier with an RF remote control, hand-built by Manley Laboratories in California. It provides three phono inputs — two moving-coil inputs loaded through Manley autoformers with selectable 25/50/100/200/400 ohm taps and one resistive input adjustable from 100 ohms to 47 kilohms — plus capacitive loading selectable from 10 pF to 1100 pF in 10 pF steps. Gain is switchable between 50, 55, 60, and 65 dB, and RIAA equalization accuracy is specified within +/-0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. A dedicated stereo line input and both fixed (150 ohm) and volume-controlled variable (75 ohm) outputs allow it to serve as a minimal line preamplifier driving a power amplifier directly, with the included REMORA RF remote operating the motorized volume control and mute. The unit uses two 6922 gain tubes and four 7044/5687 output-buffer tubes and ships as a two-chassis system with a separate power supply unit.

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