Solid State Phono Stages

I have on regular occasions been in in a position to experience two phonostages.

I have had the option to use different Tonearms and Cartridges, but experiencing these does not in my experiences, impact on the presentation in the same manner as changing the signal path via the Phonostage.

To work with the impressions that can be made, I have a few resident SUT's but have had the loans of other SUT's and Head Amp's.

There is something about the differences a Phonostage can have on a replay, and the want to learn much about this has led me to be party to numerous demonstrations of devices.

I have come to learn there is a small selection of Phonostages I would be happy to be with, would I like to have them all at home and select one that supersedes all.  No I would not, I like the memory, the recollection and the want to get out and encounter such wonderment once more.

It is very satisfying to be in the company of a device that makes such a positive impression and creates a real feel good factor, but for all these strengths, is not enough to tempt one of their much enjoyed owned devices. The experience of being able to gauge where a system is and know that any alterations will be a change only, but mot a change for the better is a comfortable place to be.

The differences recognised between the devices, and the alternate usage of each device, is almost a selection to suit a mood, and ones mood is usually dictating the Genre selected to be replayed, the alternate usage is certainly not an attempt to improve the system. I am suspecting this is where the OP is finding they have arrived at with their options for the two devices available at present.

@thiefoflight 

Thanks for the update.  Honestly, your experience with both phono stages is a classic audiophile conundrum - what do I like better on any given day with any given recording?  Apples and oranges as they say.  Good luck!

Did the OP come to a final decision?  Reading this thread has me curious?

I have a Moon 390P and it has an internal phono stage using some of the technology in the 810P and it's a shocking good phono stage.   

I used to have a McIntosh C2600 and evaluated the 390 as a DAC/Streamer as an upgrade to the Node 2i and it ended up replacing them both because I was impressed with the phono preamp and it let me consolidate boxes.  

I'd also encourage you to consider Moon's 610P and the entry Boulder phono preamp.

@vonhelmholtz I decided to let the BMC unit go. I have to say it is impressive in every way for its price point, and while it may have done some things technically better, the Audionet PAM G2 with the EPS power supply just delivered greater musical satisfaction and helped me to feel and fall in love with the music more. The Audionet has greater control settings for impedance, conductance, etc, allowing me to better tailor the tone and frequency response, and it does an excellent job of balancing soul, body, and detail.

The BMC does demonstrate greater separation of instruments and delineation overall, but for me it was to the point where it started sounding like the instruments were playing individually and not towards a shared goal. This is absolutely a personal experience and not an objective one. Should the rest of my chain have been less resolving or introduced a bit more bloom, I would likely have settled on it in a heartbeat. The well-known Agoner that I ended up selling the unit to is quite critical in his equipment and sonics seems to be very pleased with the unit.

I guess I should say that the evaluation is not over. @overthemoon and others who have encouraged my itch for the Simaudio Moon 810 LP, I am finalizing a trade deal for one and hope to have it in possession next month. I would like to demo that against the Audionet and will again keep whichever I prefer and sell the other. Should I enjoy the 810LP, I will not hesitate to purchase the 820S power supply to improve upon it further.