I had the Audio Research PH7 before I purchased the Manley Steelhead. The PH 7 is a fantastic phono amp, especially for the price. Mine was absolutely dead quiet and had all the gain I needed for my Lyra Titan cartridge, which has a very low output.
The Manley has some advantages over the PH7, mainly your ability to really fine tune what the amp is doing. But, I don't find it to be anymore quiet or revealing than the PH7. The benifits of "upgrading" to the Manley are there but, small.
The Manley has some advantages over the PH7, mainly your ability to really fine tune what the amp is doing. But, I don't find it to be anymore quiet or revealing than the PH7. The benifits of "upgrading" to the Manley are there but, small.