Quest For Phono Preamp

Friend

Dollar for dollar, the Gram Slee products are all that! I have the Amp2 with upgraded PS and can tell you that I am very pleased. My next move may be to simply get the Amp2 SE which has a higher output to better match my SET amplifier.

Aesthetix Janus, I believe, has all the above requirements. Never auditioned but has many positive reviews. Full function tubed pre-amp and is ideal for low output moving coils.

Hy

One model that has most of the features you desire is the PS Audio GCPH Phono Stage. I only feature I cannot recall it having, are balanced outputs. Cost is $1K with a 30 day no risk trial from the company. Mark

Checking the specs on the PS Audio Unit, I see that it is a dual mono balanced from input to output Stage, with dual mono power supplies, and it does also indeed have balanced output to feed to a pre-amp, or directly to an amplifier. I almost bought this Unit myself, but found a good deal on a used mint Sutherland PhD, and I'm very happy with it's performance. The features you require I myself didn't need. Mark

Try the E.A.R 88PB tubed stage. Gain/loading is automatic. Volume/mono is there with MM/MC. It is very quiet as well. I just auditioned one and it bettered my PH-3.