What is the best phono preamp you have heard?

I also like the Aesthetix, the Syrah, the Steelhead, and the Walker, but the H-Cat is superior to all of them by a big margin.

I have been using the H-Cat phono for several years. I has the same character as the P-12BX line stage, namely very transparent, open, and clear. It has excellent top and bottom ends.

I have not tried other phono stages lately but were I to do so, it would be the Einstein Tube. I have heard it in other systems and can say I heard how quiet it is and been impressed with its sound. I also have friends who rave about it saying the reviews which are raves fall short of telling what it is capable of. Until I try it in my home, I will not know whether it has the "magic" of the H-Cat.

Paragon 12A, wow, how fondly I remember that piece.

I've never had one in my room, but what I've heard at shows, suggests it is the Ypsilon VPS 100 with their MC20 stepup transformer. If I could afford it, I'd have it.

The Robert Koda K 10 is now the best I have ever heard, but one must provide the best power cord (HFC Ultimate Reference Rhodium)and the best isolation (Star Sound Tech Apprentics platform on a good base.

I agree with Fremer, the BMC MCCI ($3890) is the best at any price. You ought to hear it with the HFC power cords.

Jafox, the Koda is a line stage and the MCCI is a phono stage. I have always thought the BMC MCCI was their best piece. It may have been a coincidence that the Koda blosomed just when I put the HFC URR on it, but I'm not taking it off to check this out.

Jperry, although the comment about compatibity for some MC cartridges was in the original review, the rest was not. Unbeatable at any price was.

Americanflag, the quoted portion in my response to Jperry was not in the original review.