Audio Research PH7 versus Manley Steelhead ?

Now I have different phono stage. I used to have the Steelhead and played it side by side witht the PH7. They are both great phono stages. I personally prefer the Steelhead. In addition to its good sound quality, it has tons of adjustment so that you can fine tune the sound of the cartridge to match your system. IMO and in my system, the Steelhead has more detail, better transient attack and dynamics. You can also bypass a linestage by connecting the Steelhead directly to your amp, given your system is highly efficient.

I have Manley Neo Classic 250 mono's with an ARC Pre/Rhea phono. What could I gain by switching out the Rhea for a Steelhead or PH-7. I'm thinking system synergy.

I have heard the PH7, Rhea and Steelhead in my system.

IMO if you don't have any issuesd with the lower than normal MJC gain of 57.5db the ARC PH7 is the best sounding unit of the lot. More organic.

I found the Rhea noisy with LOMC's, the PH7 is not. I found the Steelhead more like SS than tube sounding.