Help me choosing Phono Preamp


Hi,

I need suggestion in choosing a quality phono stage (SS or tube, new/used) under $3000 to mate with Denon DL-103 cartridge. The cartridge has very low output voltage around 0.18mV. Few pre I considered are Manley Chinook, EAR 834P, Liberty B2B-1, and MF MX-VYNL. All of them seem to require a step up transformer to work with DL-103. I don't like the idea of outboard transformer, and also I want to keep number of boxes as minimum as possible. Is there any outstanding pre out there (full function or stand alone phono stage) with input sensitivity close to 0.15 V to work with DL-103 ? Other qualities of the preamp I am looking for are: utterly transparent, extreme resolution, but not lean/thin/weak in sound, MC and MM both options will be a plus . Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sunny

topmostaudio
I owned the Manley Chinook and Liberty B2B-1 phono preamps. Still have a EAR 834P MM only and upgraded to Manley Steelhead for MC. For a second system the EAR has turned out to be a keeper. I simply love its warmth and punch. It is one of the best values in tubed phono stages. The Chinook and Liberty were also fine components, but to me, the Steelhead in the main system beat them both for the sonic picture I sought.
No direct experience re: how the kW compares to the MX-VYNL but based on the MSRP of the VYNL vs the much higher MSRP of the kW of the kW when it came out, I'd guess that the kW bests it. 

The kW replaced the excellent Avid Pulsus in my system, though the improvement from the Pulsus to the kW was not as large as the jump from the Simaudio LP 5.3 with optional outboard power supply to the Pulsus (perhaps the Siumaudio would have performed better if I was going balanced). 

Hope this helps. 
What is your current phono preamp?

Maybe you should consider a higher output cartridge instead.

jperry,   I dont have a phono preamp now. My line stage is Coincident Statement.