Sidekick_i, I thought I would add one more comment to support what Albertporter has said about the choices you are considering. As much as I try to find long-term listening enjoyment from the solid-state phono stages I've heard, I keep coming back to preferring tubes in my phono stage. For me, the sound is just SO much more natural and realistic - particularly with the Aesthetix Io.
With the volume controls, the Io makes a great standalone unit. I drive my Atma-Sphere amps directly with the Io with great results. When I sit down to listen, I am regularly pulled into the music, not the sonics. But it is the superbly natural sonics that allows that to happen.
Good luck!
With the volume controls, the Io makes a great standalone unit. I drive my Atma-Sphere amps directly with the Io with great results. When I sit down to listen, I am regularly pulled into the music, not the sonics. But it is the superbly natural sonics that allows that to happen.
Good luck!
