Valve phono stage

 Dear Chakster, there’s no reason for you to pay any attention to me, but it does seem that you are missing my point. So now you’ve described the particular tube amplifier that you found to be less good sounding then your 1st W amplifier. That proves nothing in general about tubes Vs solid state. That is my point. 

For all I know, you may end up preferring a solid-state phono stage to any tube phono stage that you can lay your hands on. That remains to be seen. But I do think you should give it a try.

If I go all out Herron system, as I mentioned, it would mean selling all my balanced cables. 
Can any of you suggest great single ended cables up to about  $700?

I'm looking at AntiCables...

Thanks 
Rich

@lewm I can not buy and try any phono stage over $1k that's for sure. Still have some amazing NOS tubes left, such as ECC801 / 12AT7 WA, not sure is there is any valve phono stage with this type of tubes. Some NOS Telefunken tubes cost more than phono stage itself (imo).  

And you don’t name what tube amplifiers you’ve played with either.

Described my ex tube gear after this comment. 

Purist is pretty nice- not sure it they fit the budget.

Still have some amazing NOS tubes left, such as ECC801 / 12AT7 WA, not sure is there is any valve phono stage with this type of tubes.

We use 12AT7s in all our phono sections. Not as much gain as a 12AX7, but a lot more bandwidth.