Best preamps ? Manley Steelhead or Atmasphere MP 1 ?

[Abendroth]

Anyone around having one of these 2 fabulous ( described as so ..) preamps ?

I'd love to hear some descriptions, opinions..
Regarding the Manley : is it ( for vinyl playing ) really useful to be able to choose between various cuvres frequencys to play properly different mono lables = RIAA, or before, Decca curve, or Columbia curve... ?

[NekoAudio]

Both excellent options IMO. Do you have records that would need different equalization curves? I personally don't have a single record that doesn't use RIAA.

You may also want to look at VTL, as that is the less industrial-looking consumer sister company of Manley: VTL - Who We Are.

[Abendroth]

Yes, I do have lots of record which may have different equalization curves, as I have around 5000 LP's, 30 to 50% of them being mono...
So before 1958 / 59 and the RIAA area standard: in the early 50's, you had the Decca curve, for example ; there could be differences between Columbia ( French or English ), Voix de son Maitre, Vega , L'Oiseau Lyre, Ducretet Thomson, Pathé, early american pressings, etc...
Thanks, I'll have a look at VTL

[Jack]

You might also want to take a look at the recently released Gold Note PH-1000 from Italy.

https://www.analogueseduction.net/ph...amplifier.html

They are distributed in your country by Advance Audio in Lyon.

https://www.avanceaudio.fr/

The less expensive PH-10 with two inputs and six RIAA curves was universally acclaimed.

[MikeCh]

is it ( for vinyl playing ) really useful to be able to choose between various cuvres frequencys to play properly different mono lables = RIAA, or before, Decca curve, or Columbia curve... ?

It most certainly is useful to be able to adjust phono play back EQ Curves with a mono lp collection of your size. I too have a sizable mono classical record collection and changing to a phono preamp (Sentc EQ-11) with a handful of adjustable curves does allow a more accurate representation of the recorded event. This is especially true when combining a mono phono cartridge in the setup along with an adjustable preamp.

[Abendroth]

Thanks a lot Mike. Yes of course I do have a very good genuine mono cartridge ( Pierre Clément ...the L7, the best one )
According to you, would you be able to "express / quantify " the gain - improvement during the listening, by using really the proper EQ curve ?
10% better more or less ?! Is it precisely noticeable, ...or you just feel a global better impression ?

It's true, on my side, for ex. with moo Decca, that sometimes, suddenly, a pressing sounds great..; but then the next one is very disapointing - nothing seems to "go out of the vinyl " !

It most certainly is useful to be able to adjust phono play back EQ Curves with a mono lp collection of your size. I too have a sizable mono classical record collection and changing to a phono preamp (Sentc EQ-11) with a handful of adjustable curves does allow a more accurate representation of the recorded event. This is especially true when combining a mono phono cartridge in the setup along with an adjustable preamp.

[NekoAudio]

Sounds like your question about curves is not about useful but rather a requirement given your existing records. If you don't use a matching curve, your treble and bass will be several dB off depending on the frequency.

I don't think Manley, Atma-Sphere, or VTL have support for non-RIAA curves, but I could be mistaken. Gold Note, CH Precision (optional board), and Boulder have easy to use curve options. There should be more options but I can't think of any right now.

[Abendroth]

Thank you; I had a quick look...
It sounds like the names you mention are all solid state preamps, right ? The CH Precision is very expensive...
And I'm "pro - tube" above all !

[CPP]

Sounds like your question about curves is not about useful but rather a requirement given your existing records. If you don't use a matching curve, your treble and bass will be several dB off depending on the frequency.

I don't think Manley, Atma-Sphere, or VTL have support for non-RIAA curves, but I could be mistaken. Gold Note, CH Precision (optional board), and Boulder have easy to use curve options. There should be more options but I can't think of any right now.

My Manley Chinook supports RIAA curves. Deviation from RIAA curve: Less than ± 0.5 dB from 20Hz to 20kHz at any gain setting. Typically less than ±1dB from 10Hz to 100kHz. Awesome phono stage. And FYI the Steelhead support the RIAA curves as well.

[Abendroth]

Thank you Chris to point this to me. Very interested indeed, I had not pay attention on the Chinook on the Manley website, having been omnubiliated only by the Steelhead !
As for this last one, it doesn't have the EQ curve correction for Decca, EMi or Columbia ( only RIAA )....; but if I don't find what I want on this point, the Chinook may very well be the perfect preamp at this range of price.

[Audiophilehi]

How can you tell what curve is required for a specific LP?

[MikeCh]

Thanks a lot Mike. Yes of course I do have a very good genuine mono cartridge ( Pierre Clément ...the L7, the best one )
According to you, would you be able to "express / quantify " the gain - improvement during the listening, by using really the proper EQ curve ?
10% better more or less ?! Is it precisely noticeable, ...or you just feel a global better impression ?

It's true, on my side, for ex. with moo Decca, that sometimes, suddenly, a pressing sounds great..; but then the next one is very disapointing - nothing seems to "go out of the vinyl " !

Abendroth,

I don't know if I could put a percentage value on the use or non-use of the various other EQ curves (Columbia, Decca, Capitol, etc.) but one thing I know for sure is now that I utilize them, there is no returning to a phono preamplifier that doesn't have them...at least for me.

What is most noticeable to me when listening to the older (usually 1950 to 1959 +/-) mono recordings with or without a mono cartridge but using RIAA settings is that records from the three above mentioned labels each had a somewhat "metallic sounding" edge in the higher frequency ranges to me. When all three record label recordings are played through their respective EQ curves, the metallic and hollow top end in addition to the bottom end impact are much improved on many recordings. Everything just seems more relaxed and fluid with the correct turnover, roll-off, etc.

As I said, now that I am listening with a phono preamplifier that has these EQ curves, I can't see myself going back to an RIAA only phono preamp by choice.

Mike

edit: correction from CBS to Capitol record label name

[MikeCh]

How can you tell what curve is required for a specific LP?

Match the record label with the similarly named EQ curve on the phono preamp. E.g., you want to play a Decca mono lp, you select the setting for the Decca curve setting, not the one for Columbia, etc.

[Audiophilehi]

Match the record label with the similarly named EQ curve on the phono preamp. E.g., you want to play a Decca mono lp, you select the setting for the Decca curve setting, not the one for Columbia, etc.

Thank Mike.....I have Columbia LP’s from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and most recent. When did Columbia switch to the RIAA curve? Same for Decca?

Thanks

[Abendroth]

All became standard - same in 1958-59 or so ( stereo area ).

[Audiophilehi]

All became standard - same in 1958-59 or so ( stereo area ).

Thanks Abendroth!

[MikeCh]

Thank Mike.....I have Columbia LP’s from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and most recent. When did Columbia switch to the RIAA curve? Same for Decca?

Thanks

You bet Paul. Abendroth has it right, 1958-1959 time frame.

[CPP]

Thank you Chris to point this to me. Very interested indeed, I had not pay attention on the Chinook on the Manley website, having been omnubiliated only by the Steelhead !
As for this last one, it doesn't have the EQ curve correction for Decca, EMi or Columbia ( only RIAA )....; but if I don't find what I want on this point, the Chinook may very well be the perfect preamp at this range of price.

On the Chinook, I followed the led of Mark on here ( MDP) and others and re tubed it, with 4 Philips PCC88/7DJ8 tubes. There is a link in the Manley area.

[atmasphere]

Yes, I do have lots of record which may have different equalization curves, as I have around 5000 LP's, 30 to 50% of them being mono...
So before 1958 / 59 and the RIAA area standard: in the early 50's, you had the Decca curve, for example ; there could be differences between Columbia ( French or English ), Voix de son Maitre, Vega , L'Oiseau Lyre, Ducretet Thomson, Pathé, early american pressings, etc...

If I can straighten something out: The RIAA curve is based on the 'RCA Orthophonic' equalization. By the time the first mono LPs appeared, many of them were on this curve, so it predates the stereo era. The RIAA curve became a standard for all LPs in 1954.