What is the Phono stage you have finished with?

I used a Steelhead for a long while, and agree with Lacee that it sounds better from the fixed outputs. Am presently using the Allnic H3000 with very musical results. For years, during the late 80's and into the 90's, I hung on to my ARC SP-10 mkii, which had a very sweet phono section. But it couldn't really accommodate low output moving coil cartridges well and once I changed to a horn-based speaker system (from Crosby Quads), the noise floor forced me to move to a more modern preamp.
While separate line and phono stages gives you more flexibility, you do have to factor in the cost of that additional piece of interconnect, which can, when taken into account, give you a greater budget for complete preamp that includes a phono stage.

After many years I have finished with an ARC Phono 6 , I like the way you can change the loading from the remote control and at my age ( 58 ) I can't justify spending more as my hearing ain't what it used to be .

EAR 324.

Most recent upgrade is the ARC Ref Phono 2SE.

Interesting how few Audio Research entries on this string. I purchased a RHEA signature demo, and initially wanted to return it due to noise. After replacing the tube set from Jim Mcshane, tube noise is noticeable only within a few inches from my electrostatic speakers and totally inaudible at listening position. . The AR Phono 2 SE is silent. I'm wondering if it is 6000 dollars better?