Anyone have experience with the PH-1000 and tube stage

Right on the class A.  Not unique,  

But - the Steelhead’s front end is unusual enough that it really does justify “reference” status: the autoformers aren’t used as SUTs but as impedance-conditioning elements, allowing the cartridge to see a perfectly damped, non–reflected-load interface, while the fully Class-A triode gain stages provide the actual amplification. This hybrid magnetic–active topology avoids the bandwidth, phase, and loading artifacts of traditional SUTs and avoids the higher noise and overload margins of all-active MC stages. Very few phono stages—Boulder’s fully differential solid-state architecture, VTL’s transformer-coupled high-voltage triode gain, or ARC’s FET–tube hybrids—use anything comparable. The Steelhead’s combination of extremely low noise, massive headroom, wide bandwidth, precise loading control, and the ability to run the triode gain stages at optimal operating points without transformer constraints gives it a uniquely dynamic, transparent, and tonally natural presentation. This is why it consistently ranks with the top reference units: it blends the quietness and drive of transformer-based designs with the speed, openness, and linearity of high-gain tubes in a way almost no other phono stage attempts.

You got me started on researching Steelhead - and this is where I ended up.

@ulcerdoc did you ever have a chance to hear the PH-1000?

No I haven’t.  Read and watched reviews.

Ulcer, baby.  Did you write that paragraph about the autoformers in the Steelhead, or are you quoting a paragraph you found somewhere?  Again with the "fully class A triode gain stage" business.

"This hybrid magnetic–active topology avoids the bandwidth, phase, and loading artifacts of traditional SUTs and avoids the higher noise and overload margins of all-active MC stages."  I don't quite get the last part, because the high gain IS coming from an active stage, and I wondering what good can an autoformer do in that case. On the other hand, Manley knows better than I. I would still love to see a schematic.

@ulcerdoc the key to the ref 10 and VTL 6.5 is lower PS noise floor. As you lower the noise you get better resolution. The other factor both offer is much wider bandwidth than either of the others. 

Another option would be look for a used VTL 6.5 series 1. They come up every so often for sale in the 3.5k to 4k range. at that price point not much will touch it. 

There are also improvements you can do to the Chinook to lower its noise floor. 

1. add .01uf bypass caps to the rectifier diodes to lower their noise floor.  

2. on the rear input panel replace the metal film loading resistors with Vishay S102 foil types. This alone will lower the noise floor 2-4 db over metal film. 

I was in your boat a few years ago. Had moved up from the Chinook to the steelhead. Was quite happy with it. Until a friend let me borrow their TP 6.5 series 1. It was a 2 second test. After that was tough to return to the steelhead. 

I'll be the first to admit it was a tough pill to swallow since I was set on the steelhead and thought it was my end game phono stage. 

The REF 10 is new enough may be tough to find one on the used market.