Manley Steelhead vs others.

ModWright PH-150 Reference Phono is an option to consider. Tubes but very quiet. I like that it has front panel controls like the Steelhead, although it’s more of a pure phono pre, whereas the Manley can serve as a full pre if I recall correctly. Dan Wright is an excellent resource and has been helpful with advice and support.

The Allnic H3000 and Herron VTPH get consistently stellar reviews like the Steelhead.  All outstanding — pick your flavor. 

Herron, for sure. Good luck finding one used though! The Herron is a keeper so not many out there and when there are they get snapped up fast, because... the Herron is a keeper!

I would just give Keith a call, have him build you one. That's what I did, just over a year ago. Very happy I did!

Very few phono stages have the option of acting like a full function preamp like the Steelhead. The Steelhead has very few peers in that regard. 

Thanks this is a great help. Sounds like really good choices. Will look into them all.    

If you are looking for a unit that you can use as a stand-alone preamp like the Steelhead, the Art Audio Vinyl One Copper Reference would be a good choice.  You can add a remote volume control and it will serve as a full fledged preamps. It is intended to be used with one table unlike the Manley.  

You up will find an older review that compares it to the Steelhead.  It fell a hair short at the time but has since been upgraded in terms of power supply and the “copper reference” edition has Silver Foil caps.