Best Phono stage under $1200? Audiomat?

New EAR 834P, used Sonic Frontiers Phono One.
(not the older SF model, the current Stereophile class A rated model)

For what it's worth, with my ho-hum analog set up (Shure V-15 cartridge and not-very-audiophile Denon 'table) I have heard the Rotel, the Lehmann Cube, and the Phenomena. The rest of my electronics are tube. The Phenomona was my favorite of the phono preamps I heard and I bought it. Black Cube was impressive in its dynamics and detail, but I liked the Phenomena better because it sounded harmonically richer, made the music more coherent and flow more naturally, did less to emphasize surface noise, and had better esthetics, not requiring an outboard power cord. I think it's a bargain for $700. I have not heard the Phenomenon with its optional battery pack, which is supposed to raise it to even greater heights.

I'm using a Wavelength Audio Cotangent phono preamp. I also tried out the Audio Research PH-3 and the Sonice frontiers phono 1 and the Black Cube from lehmann and found the Wavelength to have a very engaging delivery. It is dynamic and very quiet for a tube unit. It sounds most like the AR but to my ears has a more toe tapping presentation with natural deep bass. I'm not sure Wavelength makes it anymore but it sold for $1000.00 Just my opinion of course.
JC

jc, when i was looking for a fono-stage a year ago, one of these cotangents came up on the used market at a great price; i called gordon rankin, owner/designer of wavelength, to ask him about it, & he said to forget about it w/a low-output mc. now, i wonder if i coulda gotten away w/it - my preamp has so much gain that i run my 0.35mv-output ortofon mc25-fl (gordon sez it's really <0.2mv) on the fono-stage's lowest gain setting...

doug s.

You can always find used Audio Research PH3s for $900 - $1100. These blow all of the competition away. No contest