Wavac LCR-X2...is it worth $10k ?

I have heard people rave about the EAR units, the 88PB (tube) and the 324 (SS), I have not seriously listened to them myself, but I would think they'd be worth a listen before shelling out 10k. 

I am currently considering the entry level model, the 834P, which I have auditioned and been quite impressed with, 

There are also the Conrad Johnson units, but they're probably too "sweet" and slow for your tastes, 

Dear @pani: """  But I am a bit partial to tubes because they present music with that "breath of life" feeling, like real instruments and voices sound. """

If that's true I can't understand why you started other thread to find out about the Klyne phono stage and if that is true I can't understand either that you owned or still own ( I don't know. ) Naim PS.

If that's true and you like " colorations "/distortions that are not on the LP recording then go for tube electronics but if you want true/reliable and with very low " colorations " quality performance nearer to what was recorded into the LP grooves the Klyne is very good option as can be Concert Fidelity or Spectral or top Sutherland or the Lyra and several other SS phono stages that can outperforms that Wavac or the Zanden mentioned here.

Now, if your today phono stage is a " decent one " what do you dislike on it?
 Good that you have 10K to spend but you can spend less of that money ( example ) in a better cartridge/tonearm combination along better IC cables. You have several options to spend money to improve the quality sound level in your audio system and depends on what are you real music/sound  self priorities.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Buy a herron and be done.  I'd wager it will sound better than the wavac and at less than half the cost.  No phono is worth 10k.......

You could try the Allnic H-3000V or Whest MC REF V Mk4.

Hi Raul,
Your analysis is quite correct. Let me explain. I am rebuilding my entire system keeping only my existing speakers, TT, tonearm and cartridge intact. Previously, I was using a SS phono with tube pre-power. But with my speakers I will be more comfortable with SS power which means I have to insert tube equipments upstream in order get the balance of tube and SS sound in the system. I dont think I can live with an all-SS system. So where do I insert the tube equipment ? Either phonostage or preamp or both. So that is why I am looking at all the combinations around me. I like a neutral sound but not a dry one. Soulful, natural, lively and dynamic, that is how music is suppose to sound like in general.