What's a better choice? Manley Steelhead Phono or Audio Research Reference 2SE Phono?

@rikintpa what were your impressions on Steelhead vs ARC REF 2SE? 

Old post but just noticed I have been enjoying my Ref2se but was curious what you think now that you made change.

Well the deed is done!  I have sold my Manley and bought a REF 2se I pick it up Sunday...I have had many, many enjoyable years with the Steelhead I just think I have maxed out my Utility with it.  I have to say I am a bit nervous because of the unknown with the AR BUT I do believe that Synergy will be the tip in the right direction.  I do use Balanced Out's and the AR is a fully balanced design and I will say the Steel head is errrr....was the only piece of gear I had left single ended.  Now we shall see if my Cart(s) like the AR as much as my Steelhead! I really do appreciate the varied opinions and ideas I get from fellow enthusiasts! 

Which one do you like the looks of better?

Steelhead has 3 pairs of phono inputs, not just 2.  If that matters.  If balanced output is important to you, I would check whether the AR unit has a true balanced output or just a balanced out derived from its inherently SE circuitry.  In the latter case, the balanced outputs may actually be inferior to the SE outputs, for absolute fidelity.

have owned both the chinook and steelhead. Like you was upgrading a year ago. Listened to the ARC and VTL. ended up with the VTL TP 6.5 signature. may want to add that to your list.

I have ARC gear (Ref 6 and Ref 150SE) and the Steelhead, all bought new. I love the sound I am getting and love the Steelhead. Where I can't help you is that I have never tried the Ref 2SE. The Steelhead has an outboard PSU but that alone means little. Both have two sets of RCA inputs to enable having two tables hooked up at once (which I have). The Steelhead combines circuit-derived gain for MC with autoformers, the ARC does not, but again, that means little. I would think adjusting gain and loading is easier with the Steelhead. I suspect you can't go wrong with either. I believe in system synergy when matching an amp and preamp but don't think it extends-to the same extent (pun)-to matching a phono stage. Bottom line-you can't go wrong with either. 
rdk777 makes a great point about the balanced output. I would prefer that too. 

I've had the ARC Ref 2SE for a couple of years now and its a magnificent phonostage. The ARC Ref 2SE has balanced output, which if all things equal, I would chose over a phono preamp with only single ended outputs.  That's a personal choice based on my experience.

Agree with system synergy - either way get them under top grade HRS isolation 

You may get more system symmetry with the Ref2 SE.

If I had to narrow down my choices to two-this would be it.  Price and tube complement might make my decision.

No one has an opinion?