Valve phono stage

If you can find one, the Modwright SWP 9.0 SE phono stage is what I've been using for many years now. My purchase price (used) was $1650. I'll never need or want better.

Dan

Thanks for your replies. 

@yogiboy  I have considered this!

@bpoletti I've already contacted Keith inquiring about his VTPH-2A. This is a serious contender...

@islandmandan I'll have a look at that. 

If you decide to go single ended you should take a look at the Manley Chinook!
https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/manley-laboratories/products/manley-labs-chinook-special-ed...

Valve preamplifiers with true balanced outputs are in short supply. Certainly some of the best ones are made by atma-sphere. If you go that route you also have the benefit of true balanced phono inputs, which gives you all the benefits of balanced operation.Atmosphere preamplifiers are also full function preamplifiers, so you get a line stage for free and the bargain. I own an MP1 myself and I have been very happy with it for more than a decade. In fact more than 20 years.

I would not say that Herron’s customer service is “unmatched”. Atmasphere’s customer service is equally as stellar. And there are many users who would agree with this sentiment. With true balance inputs and true balanced outputs. The only other balanced phono stage that uses tubes for gain that I can think of is the Einstein, and then you need to buy two SE modules to achieve the balanced configuration. Aesthetix Io may also have balanced out. But I am not certain that the circuit itself is balanced.