New phono stage arrived

Good that you found something less expensive that agrees with your ears.

The specs/reviews and cost suggest the Melto will support a table/cart setup multiple levels of an entry level Rega.

Interesting that no WOW moments were heard using it.

There were no wow moments, is was flat dull and muddy sounding. 

Congratulations. I never heard of either unit or the companies that make them. Perhaps others can benefit from your experience. What amplifiers and speakers? If the first phono was as bad as you say, chances are there was a cryptic defect. Did you consult the dealer or the makers?

I am running a Sugden IA-4 ClassA amp. The speakers are Capriccio continuo Ad Monitor 311. Madison Audio lab speaker cables, all wire world Silver eclipse 8 interconnects. The Dealer was no help. 

Capriccio continuo Ad Monitor 311
 

Gesundheit!

They are awesome little speakers. 

I’ve read some reviews of the Greek phono. As you say, it is highly regarded. For a product and company trying to establish itself in the US market, I can’t understand why the distributor didn’t step in to help, if your dealer was recalcitrant. Because now you’ve given the product a black eye it may not deserve. If so, it’s their fault.

I have good equipment on this system, and cables etc. The room is treated. This components just doesn’t pair with my cartridge and system . The new phono stage is twice the unit at half the cost and size. The sound from the Charisma box is incredible. I made one slight change to the cartridge loading, and have found the sweet spot

Like I said, it is quite possible your unit was not functioning at full capacity.  That's especially possible with tube gear, which tends to "work" even when broken.  Whereas a solid state device is usually alive or totally dead. 

I have it for sale, I just want it out of my life. Pretty much seems to me it was hyped up and not all that good to begin with.