the 324 is an awesome phonostage. i heard it a couple times next to a steelhead and even though the retail is $2k more on the steelhead i would have to say i preferred the ear. which was heartbreaking for me as i wanted more than anything to own a steelhead at the time.
im not much for classical music but was demoing them with classical and the steelhead was a little fuller sound and i would give the edge to the manley, but all other genres i heard the ear was better to my ears.
good luck in that pricerange there is a lot of great competition.