Which phono preamps among these three?


1. Manley Chinook Tube phono stage
2. Whest PS.30R
3. Aesthetix Rhea

I picked these three because they are currently available for sale in audiogon, and all three have very good reviews. All three are a bit over my budget at the moment, but I expect to get enough fund in the short future.

I mostly listen to Jazz (50s-60s) and classicals, occasionally pops and rocks. Rhea is more expensive than the other two, but Rhea supports three inputs while the other supports only one input, switchable to MM or MC. The other two cost about the same as used Rhea.

If you are to pick one, which one? For what reason? Is one definitely better than the others? Or, they are pretty much in the same league with different characteristics?
128x128ihcho
I had the Chinook and it was somewhat sensitive to microphonics and noise issues, but generally it sounded quite musical and respectable.

I also owned a Whest PS 30RDT (early version) for a while and it was quite good sounding although I believe I had to remove the cover to get to the gain and loading adjustments.

One sleeper you might want to consider is the PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter. It's a very good performing solid-state piece that has externally accessible adjustments, polarity reversal on the front panel and a built-in A to D converter so you can record your records direct to a laptop or PC (@ up to 24-bit, 192kHz resolution). In fact, in addition to the USB record output it has an RCA S/PDIF output if you want to run it into a DAC (although I liked the pure analog playback a bit better).

Another thing about the PS Audio piece is that it's fairly immune to acoustic feedback. I have my turntable and phono stage only a few feet from my Legacy Focus SE speakers that go down to 18Hz in the bass (and are generally very strong in the bass). Even at fairly loud levels with crazy bass the PS Audio NPC remained totally focused, clear, and noise free. I was amazed how taut and powerful the bass could be out of a basic Michell TecnoDec sitting so close to the Focus SE speakers!
I will throw another monkey wrench in the plan and suggest that you consider the K&K Maxxed Out Phono Preamp.

Shakey
I hate it when an OP asks for opinions about a particular component or asks for comparisons between two or among three components, and THEN the responders suggest other completely different options. But, yes, I'm guilty. I agree with Shakey. You might take a look at the Maxxed Out.
I have a PS 0.2 and that is superb. I am told by James Henriott that the 0.3 is an altogether more impressive animal. I preferred the Whest to the Tom Evans Groove in my system. I know that Michael Fremer had to backtrack on an initial review of the Whest 0.2 that was compared to be on a level with the Manley Steelhead - he wrote a rather bizarrre follow up where he then put the Whest on a par with the Graham Slee Era Gold. Do bear in mind that the Whest is very solid state and you are seeking to compare it with two tube amps - they are not cut from the same cloth from what I have read
I own the Manley Chinook and have no acoustic feedback issues. I also own a Sutherland Insight phono preamp which you should consider ($1400 MSRP). The Chinook has a lively sound with good detail. The Sutherland has more refinement, better detail but less dynamics. I like both and switch between them periodically.