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Used phono preamp options - feedback requested

Greetings, all.

Here's my rig:

Thorens TD124 Mk 1 w/Mk II upgrades
Lyra Delos or Paradox Pulse D103R
Handmade Walnut Arm on unipivot bearing
Paradox Pulse Phono 70 preamp (MM/MC)

I'm in the market to find a phono stage up to about $2K to compare and contrast with the Paradox Pulse.

Open to suggestions however, considering these specific phono stages (all used):

Clearaudio Balance Plus
Sutherland 20/20
EAR Phonobox
Sonic Frontiers Phase 1 SE
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
Musical Fidelity NuVista
and possibly a Herron VTPH-1 (I can't get the guy to contact me back).

and.new:

Decware ZP3 and ZMC SUT

I'm interested in tubes primarily, but can be swayed to try another solid state stage w/good (and easy) loading capabilities.  

Please don't bash - I'm looking for real experience with any/all of these, or something in the vein.  I have my priorities in the list, but am truly looking for quality input from the group.

Thanks in advance.
128x128dducat
jp-2213
43 posts
 
+1 for the PS Audio Stellar Phono (Darren Myers Creation)
Trade in your current phono stage and it comes in under your limit, new!

I run the stellar, it’s fantastic, no tubes though
Just named Stereophile analog product of the year!

Best,
-JP
technick
140 posts
 
You may also want to check out Tavish phono preamps. They’re tube based. I own one and really dig it. The co. is run by Scott Reynolds, who has a PhD in EE and his son. 
jrobertson
2 posts
 
If you can scrape together a few more $'s I would strongly suggest that you check out the Boulder 508. 
https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/boulder-model-508-phono-preamplifier/
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
A used ARC PH 3 SE is a great tube phono stage for cartridges with an output of 0.4 mV and above.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,913 posts
 
A new Hagerman Trumpet MC costs only $1K new and I think it compares favorably past the $3K price range. Possibly beyond even that price range, if you favor a phono stage with a warm, open sound. Extremely flexible gain & load settings via switches on the front panel. I absolutely love mine, and I also own the following: VAC Renaissance SE, Rogue Ares Magnum, Herron VTPH-2A, and Sonic Frontiers Phono 1SE+. I’ve been pretty bowled over by the Trumpet MC’s performance for its price. It sounds like the old tower-style Trumpet, but adds a balanced JFET front end (for additional MC gain) that’s fantastic! Again, it's a little on the warm side but I really like that about it! I particularly enjoying mine with a Benz LPS so far.
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