Einstein "The Turntable's Choice " phonostage

The editor of the German magazine Image HiFi, who is a vinyl head and used the Swiss-made FM Acoustics before, sold the FM Acoustics for the Einstein, which is now his reference. He uses both unbalanced and balanced. His e-mail is dirk.sommer@image-magazine.de, he is usually very helpful.
Another new phono stage which has made a splash as being of reference quality is the Nibiru-stage from Slovenia (http://www.eselab.si), which, according to users over on audioasylum, is even better than the Whest-stage, for less money.

Hassel, thanks for the referral. I'll send Dirk an email.

Sabertouch,
I'm also searching for a phono stage and the einstein
has for awhile piqued my interest but as you've stated there is so little to go on and I probably will not be able to audition it soon.
Have you heard it already?
Did you get a reply from Image HiFi?
Do you know if the balanced version is actually better and worth the extra $$$?

Rost,
I purchased the Einstein in April after corresponding and talking with a couple of owners and hearing their raves about it. They were right. It is an outstanding product. Much better than it's $5k price would suggest.
Took it to a listening session with some very serious and qualified analog people who had heard many of todays phono stages. They were also tube oriented. After hearing it, one asked me how many tubes were in it. He was stunned when I told him it was all solid state.
The concensus was it set a soundstage which would draw you in to the music, like the borders were burnished. You just wanted to listen and we did for several hours. I didn't think I would get out of there with it. Yes, it's that good. The other few owners in this country have sold off stages costing several times as much and they are long time analog audiophiles with unlimited budgets.
Those that have heard both the RCA and the fully balanced units bought the balanced because it was 25% better in their opinion. It needs 50-100 hrs breakin and goes to another plateau at 500-600 hrs.
This is the only Einstein product I have heard as they are somewhat new in this country. I read the Soundstage review of their preamp but am happy with my VTL TL7.5 for now. The preamp has a slightly forward soundstage. However, the phono pre's stage is slightly recessed and curves inward at the edges which draws you into the music. Not the ultimate in definition as in some solid state units, more tube sounding than solid state sounding. Relaxing to listen to. It exceeded my expectations which were very high to start with. I looked and listened for months before taking a chance on the Einstein. Glad I did.
I understand there is limited availability, especially on the balanced version.

Thanks for the detailed reply.Good to hear you are happy with your purchase.Can't wait to hear one soon,hopefully as a part of my system.Your input has been most appreciated.Seems there will be a review out in Stereophile shortly by Fremer.