Do they make a quiet great sounding phono pre amp??

Based on the responses thus far it is clear that the Herron VTPH-2 and Allnic 1201 would be a very compelling/competitive comparison.
Charles,

While I would agree with the Herron (especially) and other suggestions above, clipping with the Manley sounds like something is wrong somewhere, either in the unit or somewhere else.  Just to confirm, you are using the MC input, mot the MM input, right?  I would have the unit checked out by your dealer before giving up on it.

RCM sensor II. its a solid state Phono but dead quiet. Interestingly RCM is known for tube amps, hence my intrigue as i was investigating a new Phono stage. ALso had experience with a ZYX artisan which i really liked. Battery operation and very quiet. I would still be using except my new cartridge needed a little more gain than what the ZXY provided

There is an Einstein Balance Turntables Choice phono pre for sale here for $3995, new they are $10,000. Slightly over of your budget but you would never need to upgrade again. I have no affiliation with seller but use a lower model Einstein phono with Aesthetix tube pre and amps and love the combination.

If the choice comes down to the Allnic H-1201 vs. the Herron or one of the other phono stages that have been suggested, a point that may be worth considering is that the design of the H-1201’s transformer-based input stage (for LOMCs) does not provide much flexibility in terms of resistive loading.

The H-1201 manual indicates that each of the four gain settings it provides for LOMC cartridges presents the cartridge with a specific load impedance that is not adjustable by the user. From the information provided I calculate those values to be approximately as follows:

62 db overall gain: 280 ohms
66 db overall gain: 120 ohms
68 db overall gain: 70 ohms
72 db overall gain: 30 ohms

(The overall gain numbers might each be 2 db lower than those values, as the specs appear to be a bit inconsistent).

The Herron provides a pair of RCA jacks on its rear panel for connection of external loading plugs, which Keith can supply in any value. Although he suggests that connecting nothing to those jacks, which will result in its FET-based input stage presenting a nearly infinite number of ohms to the cartridge (i.e., no load), is often optimal in the case of the VTPH-2.

In past threads Jonathan Carr (Lyra cartridge designer), Atmasphere, and perhaps others have stated that light loading of an LOMC cartridge (i.e., a high number of ohms) will generally tend to enhance dynamics and provide other sonic benefits, UNLESS a lower value is necessary as a result of phono stage sensitivity to energy at RF frequencies that an LOMC can generate. The Herron apparently has no such sensitivity, that would have audible consequences.

Hope that helps. Regards,
-- Al