The best phono stage I've ever heard under $1K is the Wright WPP 200. Lists for $825. Disclaimer: I may be selling mine because the new preamp I bought has a built-in phono stage. But if I do so, it will be with great reluctance. Just a spectacular preamp.
Which Tube Phono Stage around $1k?
I'm looking for a phono stage to mate with my Linn LP12/Ittok arm and a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge. The line stage is a VTL 6.5. In the under $1k range, the Underwood Level 1 mod of the Jolida JD9a looks promising at $800. Totally stretching my budget would be a used or demo Audio Research PH5, but maybe someone can convince me that it's worth the stretch. A similar stretch might be a used Cary 302. Any comment on these or others I should consider? I'm pretty much dead set on tubes. I'll have to hear a really convincing endorsement to consider anything solid state! Thanks