The best phono stage out there?

IMHO the best of anything is not necessarily the most expensive or even the best-sounding; it's the best you can get a deal on. Sort of like shopping the specials.

The best special I know of at the moment is an Audiomat 1.5 from UHF Magazine. I believe the one they are selling also has the new beefier power supply. This is a selloff because Audiomat will have a 1.6 model out soon.

There is something special about Audiomat gear, it really seems to bring out the life in the music. Other phono stages I've heard are also good, with different flavours, but this is the best sonic deal I know of right now.

Don't know about the best but the Allnic H-3000 phono stage is hard to beat and I really mean it...that's if you like transformers. Check 'em out here on audiogon. The H-1500 is also a fine piece for the $$. I used to own the H1500 and just received the H-3000. I run the XV1s and a few other cartridges with it. I also have a friend who swears by the Tron/XV1s combo and that itself is a great piece too.

There's lots of fine product out there if you're willing to break the $5000 barrier. Also depends what you value most in the sound will help determine what works best for you.

I really do appreciate all the replies. For the replies that question the value of the question, let me explain that living in Australia, there are no places where one can get presented with a range of high end phono stages to decide from,therefore, another person's experience with similair equipment to what I have and who have moved on from it ,is particularly helpful as it would direct me to seek out such equipment for audition.
In relation to budget, I was looking at the 5000 to 10000 range. BTW I also use a Audionote step up transformer.
I look forward to other opinions
Thanks again

Hello Ecka,
I've noted, and if others as well read carefully, you make mention of the "Cartridge you intend to use, is the Dyna XV-1S".

Does that mean that you not currently using that Cartridge with your Sutherland PhD? If not, what Cartridge are/were you using, that you make mention of requiring a Audionote SUT with the Sutherland?

Forgive me for asking, or for any confusion, but the Sutherland should be fine all by itself, with the Dyna XV-1, at .3mv without the need of another SUT in the path which might be possibly be further degrading the signal.

The Sutherland PhD has up to 60db Gain with the Stock Gain Boards, and the optional High Gain Boards (About $75 for the Pair) can be gotten I believe from Elusive Disc (That was where I bought mine from). The High Gain Boards are 62-64-66-68 db. Custom Blank Loading Boards can be gotten as well, and custom value Resistors can be soldered in by those handy with a soldering Iron.

The Sutherland PhD is perhaps not the best Phono Stage in the world, but it's forte, which almost no other Phono Stage can rival, is its dead silence, and immunity to EMI, and RFI.
Hope this helps, Mark

Markd51, Thanks for your comments. I currently use the audionote Io cartridge with the Japanese Audionote SUT. I have not yet used the Dynavector. I will look into the high gain boards . BTW what cartridge do you use?