Solid State Phono Preamp Suggestions $3k-$4k

After going through two other phono preamps, I settled on the Pass Labs XP-15. It is dead quiet and does not have SS glare or brightness. It has been replaced my the XP-17, right in your price range.
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/pass-laboratories-xp-17-phonostage/

Not a typical choice by many but I have an Acoustic Signature w/ Hana SL running to an SPL Phonos ($1799) with great results. Very Dynamic low noise, just so nice!https://www.lowbeats.de/erster-test-phono-vorstufe-spl-phonos/

Yes, the Hana SL is nice, using it with the XP-15 and Technics SL1200-G.

PS Audio Stellar got a rave review recently in Stereophile if that's anything to go by. They don't use chips/op-amps but discreet transistors. Apparently the "best midrange at any price" according to Fremer.

duplicate threads???

MV, check out the Anthem STR and the DEQX Premate.

I reached out to Pass Labs and the output impedance of the XP-17 is 110 SE and 220 Balanced.  I was planning/hopping to run balanced into my BP-26 preamp so I'm a little concerned the 220 won't be a good match for the imput Impedance for the Bryston at 10k ohms.   

Same with the Sutherland Duo at 200 Ohms.

Looks like the Parasound JC3+ might be a good option with an output impedance of less than 100 ohms.  

How hard and fast is the 1:100 ratio that seems to be the recommendation?  

I believe it is 1:10 ratio
Dan

220 ohms (balanced) into 10K ohms should be absolutely no problem.  Why do you think it might be?  Who recommended 1:100 ratio?  Typical recommendation is 1:10, minimum.  Also, are you taking into account the input impedance of the Bryston in balanced mode? Because it might be 20K ohms, not 10K. Bryston are not very forthcoming about stating the input impedance of their high level inputs, but after downloading the owners manual, I did see that the TAPE IN input, which is single-ended, has an impedance of 10K ohms.  This suggests that the balanced inputs would be in fact 20K ohms.

Be aware that the JC3+ has a fixed MC gain of 64 dB.

Thank you  @allhatbach54 and @lewm ,  I may be misinformed. I was aware of the recommendation of 1:10 when it comes to your amp and preamps but read somewhere that 1:100 was the recommendation when dealing with matching up your phono preamp with your preamp.  

I reached out to Herron as I was very interested in the VTPH-2A given the rave reviews on this site and others but he did not recommend pairing the VTPH-2A (400-500 ohm output impedance) or any tube based preamp for that matter with the Bryston preamp.  

@ericsch Thank you for the heads up.  In the reviews I've read on the JC3 they did mention the fixed MC gain. If I do go down that road it will be with eyes wide open on the cartridge limitations. 

64 dB gain is enough for all but the very lowest output cartridges. Any cartridge down to 0.2 mV will work fine.

If you want to get into very expensive low output, low impedance cartridges the Channel D Lino C would be the best as it is a current mode phono stage.

@mijostyn
True, but what if 64dB is too high and the user wants to reduce the gain?

In addition to Fremer's very positive review, the PS Audio Stellar just received a Product of the Year award at Stereophile.  Plus PS Audio lets you return it if you don't like it after a 30 day trial.  Read the review and John Atkinson's measurements in Stereophile, consider the flexibility that it affords and at $2,500 it is a steal.  Anyone in the market for a phonostage would be foolish not to give one of these serious consideration.

Gold Note PH-10 is the most versatile phono stage for LOMC (you can change loading, gain and even RIAA curves). 

I just upgraded to the Parasound JC3+ from the Rega Aria. So far quite impressed...