Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this topic!

I suppose the old adage applies - cheap, quality, light - choose two. I was hoping there may have been a good quality alloy hs that was also a good no-frills, low cost replacement to the old damaged, steel headset. Some great suggestions offered.

Someone had asked if this was for a 'keeper' or a 'flip'. I don't really flip bikes, even though I should, Lord knows with how my garage looks right now

I'm definitely a fan of the A9 and I do think that is probably the absolute best option although I'd have to go used to be anywhere near the price point, though I hear that the roller bearings 'wear well' so perhaps wear may not be as big of a concern as a standard ball bearing headset, though more experienced minds may want to chime in on that.

Really appreciate the suggestions, especially for the Alibaba reference, because through perusing around there, I was actually able to find a seat post that I had been looking for, for months! Thought it wasn't being made anymore.