Separates w/internal phono vs Integrated + phono

I run a Manley Steelhead into the aux on my Musical Fidelity M3 Nuvista integrated amp, and also use the phono input on the amp. The Steelhead sounds better, as it should, but it is not night and day better, so much depends on the quality of the external phono preamp, the integrated amp and the phono board in the amp.

I understand there are lots of variable that can influence and change specific results but it's a very general question and given a range of equipment to work with (which I don't have access to) I could probably understand what path has the most potential. For example putting a $4k phono with $5K integrated vs $9K of separates (internal phono). Does the $5K integrated choke the benefit of the $4K phono (that is probably the question)? $5K should buy you a decent integrated, $4K a decent phono and $9K a decent separates.

Just hoping someone comes around that has challenged the two different approaches to allocating the $$.

I don't think it is a straightforward answer, you really have to look at the specific options that match your unique needs. You have to see what your budget will get you among the configurations you have to choose from. It may be better to skew the budget towards amplification vs. the phono, maybe a more even approach or integrated is better? It all depends.

I saw a thread on vinyl asylum where someone had compared a separate phono to the one in a shindo monbrison and thought that the stand-alone was a tad better but he could live with (forgo the expense) of the stand-alone. I myself am tempted to fund a better pre-amp with phono by selling my stand alone phono but we will see.

It depends on the intelligence of the Designer.
You can have a
- good internal Phono Board (rare)
- mediocre Phono Board (normal)
- good separate Preamp (also rare)
- mediocre separate Preamp (normal)
The only advantage is, there is no mismatch internally compared to separates from different manufacturers.
Audible Illusions had a good internal card, maybe Accuphase,too. Manley is good, too. They also have a interesting 2k phono amp......

I go with separates. A phono box, preamp and separate amp.
I do have one preamp with a built in phono. An Audio research SP-15 solid state with a three tube phono section. It is nice.
My main preamp is a $5K Bryston, and a $5K amp another Bryston.
Then the Bryston phono box which would also be $5K (except it can use the Bryston preamp power so with that the stand alone phono box only (currently) costs $3K or so.

I would say one really does not want the phono stage in the same chassis as the amplification.
Other than that plenty of options.
The other issue is since the mid 80's very few good phono stages in any preamp. BEFORE 1980 plenty of good phono stages in preamps. And since the mid 1980s plenty of great stand alone phono boxes have been made.
So for ease of finding a good used stand alone phono box yes.
Plenty of integrateds have been made in the recent past too.