I have yet to hear a best phono stage...I own/owned a few good ones: the Aesthetix-Eclipse and Signature both with 2 power supplies and NOS tubes, Lamm lp2 deluxe with Western Electric 417a tubes, Allnic, Manley Steelhead, VAC Renaissance, etc...because there is no single best. Obviously, system dependence plays a major role, but I am not sure one unit can be a "best".
You have to decide on what you are willing to spend, what features are important to you and compromises you are willing to live with and live with them.
If I could plug in one unit that simply is the best, my wish list would include-ultra low noise, huge variable gain, infinitely adjustable settings from a remote, neutral to the extreme, plenty of air and bloom, very low
distortion, and most importantly the ability to play more often than not music that makes me feel like I am at a live performance.
I have not heard one like this yet