What is the Phono stage you have finished with?


Hello, Like many I have an e.a.r 834p, and it has served me well for many years, I am now however looking for a new MC phono stage. I am up for going quite a few stages up from the ear (so the next phono will last me a few years!).

Would like to hear from you guys who have already gone down this road!
Happy listening

Cheers
James
sme10
Forgot to add this.

I've found that the volume control is a weak link in most pre-amps or phono stages with pre amp capabilities.

I use the Steelhead in two systems,running it in fixed output mode, which is minus the volume control.
The headphone system runs the Manley into a Burson HD 160 and differences in inter-connects are quite easily heard.

In the second system the Steelhead is run from the fixed outputs into a Lightspeed Attenuator,with better sound than ruuning from the Steelheads variable outputs(with volume control) directly into my amps.

The Steelhead is similar in concept to the Atmasphere except it's a single ended design, and hence prone to the vagaries of interconnect sonic traits.
Both the Atmasphere and the Steelhead have a volume control however and so are sonically at it's mercy.

It's not possible(except with degrading rca/xlr adaptors)to run an Atmasphere into a Lightspeed, unfortunately we won't know how much of an improvement that would make.

It did improve the Steelhead.

The other thing that I like about the steelhead is the large separate power supply,which Ralph would agree moves the MP1 further up the ladder than the MP3 that I used to own.

Had I not made other moves, I would still be enjoying the MP3 as much as my friend enjoys his after he heard mine.
He hasn't had a problem with his in ten years of ownership. He also drives his speakers( Acousta X, same as mine) directly with his MP3 , except that his amps(Acoustat servo amps) are not balanced.He replaced the RCA on the amp with XLR but it's quasi balanced,still single ended.

As much as a fully balanced pre-phono stage negates the need for pricey IC's there is still that pesky volume control to contend with, which I have realized is the achille's heel of most audio components.
Have your EAR fitted with better parts. The ones which are there total maybe at $20 wholesale including power transformer.My deepest respect to design talent of TdP. It's a unique sounding unit and I repeat someones else opinion that I happen to share (partially ) that "99% of vinyl users don't need a better phonostage" Take it as you wish & good luck with your quest :).
I would agree, the 1% of vinyl users with good tables need a good phono stage.

I don't think a top flight phono stage will turn a medium grade table into a Continuum.

But a Continuum can be humbled with a medium level phono stage.
Lacee, Yes if the noise floor of your TT is higher than your phono stage then it may be a waste of money. But if you want to hear the differences that upgrading your TT make then having a quiet phono stage will tell you if you are going in the right direction.
The Zesto Andros PS1. Since I have a fully upgraded Linn LP12, I considered the Linn Uphorik and Eureka. After hearing the Linn phono stages, I'm very pleased with the PS1. It does everything I want from a phono stage. Precise imaging, deep and wide soundstage, lots of detail and always musical. It is my end game phono stage.