Steelhead RC

About the Steelhead RC

The Manley Steelhead RC is a sophisticated phono preamplifier designed for audiophiles seeking precise cartridge matching and exceptional sound quality. It features two Moving Coil (MC) inputs with selectable impedance loads of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 Ohms via Manley's proprietary autoformers, and a Moving Magnet (MM) input with selectable resistive loads of 25, 50, 100, 200 Ohms and 47 kOhms. Capacitive loading for all three inputs is adjustable from 0 to 1100 picofarads in 10 picofarad increments, allowing perfect tuning for any cartridge without compromising sound quality. The unit includes a LINE input that bypasses the phono stage, enabling it to function as a full preamplifier. It has variable and fixed outputs with low impedance, capable of driving amplifiers directly. The Steelhead RC uses six tubes (2 x Sovtek 6922 and 4 x American military-spec 7044 dual triodes) in a hybrid design with J-FET input stages. It includes an outboard power supply and the Remora RF remote control for volume adjustment. The chassis measures 19" wide x 3.5" tall x 15.5" deep, weighing 15 lbs, with the PSU weighing 18 lbs. It supports mains voltages from 100V to 240V with internal switching. The Steelhead RC allows connection of up to three turntables simultaneously (two MC and one MM). It offers extensive front panel controls including gain selection, resistive and capacitive loading, muting, mono summing, and standby mode. The design is noted for its vintage aesthetic and maximalist control layout, making it both a functional and visually distinctive component.