Is the Manley Steelhead still relevant?

The "end game" piece is the Constellation Orion.  John Curl's swan song?

ebm, it better be as it is way more expensive. I do like that it has a balanced input. I do not like that is has 2 12AX7s in it. All the phono amps that I have listened to that have 12 AX7s have been colored. I know the Steelhead is not. I have not heard the TW. 

Absolutely. It gives you quite a lot for the money. If you get one and put super low noise tubes from RAM Audio Labs in it you can not do much better without spending frightful money.