Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration


I have recently completely overhauled my analog front end. I have gone from a Marantz TTS TT-15S1 with a Clearaudio Charisma to a Rega Planar 8 with a Soundsmith Paua II cartridge. There have been definite improvements; improvements in dynamics, resolution, and spatial separation.  Phono stage is currently a Tavish Adagio running into a Prima Luna Evo 300 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp; speakers are Monitor Audio PL 100 II. I’m overall pleased with the system but I find it a little too modern sounding; instrument separation, and mid and low bass are a tad too tight and disciplined. While the Paua generally outclasses the Charisma; I preferred the tonality of the Charisma. Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.


I would like to make change to Phono stage to address these issues, so looking for recommendations on a phono stage that has a bit more of a vintage coloration, body, warmth, slightly looser bass and low noise floor and retains good top end extension. I currently have the PS Audio Stellar phono on order for a home trial but every review I have read has praised it for its neutrality but what I really want is added coloration that I find pleasing.  I guess I can try tube rolling the Adagio but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of trying to find low microphonic NOS tubes. Finally I want to stay under $3K and I’m open to vintage phono preamps (but I don’t want to sacrifice dynamics and sound stage).


Ag insider logo xs@2xarize84
Two options. One cheap, the other still within your budget. Cheap one, Audio Research PH3SE. Had one well over 20 years, has all the qualities you want. Specifically the warm woody tone with good extension. The warm woody tone is very slight. Did not even think it was there at all until going to my current Herron which is in every way far superior, but unsuitable for you since you ruled out superior in favor of colored. A little over budget anyway.  

Within budget, Decware ZP3 which even with their SUT is still well within your budget. https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm This should give you everything you want, and then some. oldhvymec has one on order so check back in a few he will probably have some good news to report.
The Decware looks beautiful but the gain is too low. The gain on the Adagio is 64db but I wish it was a little higher. I like to run my poweramp slightly attenuated and drive more of the gain from my preamp (for whatever reason I find my system sounds better that way); preamp only has about 10db of gain so I'm already running it pretty hard hard. I know I'm going to sound picky but gear looks also matter to me and I just don't dig the industrial aesthetic of Audio Research gear. I also would like readily accessible controls on my phono stage (so not a fan of opening cases to tool around with dip switches). Price point wise, I could push myself to $4K for the right product. Thanks. 
I missed your comment regarding SUT for the Decware. I will look into this. Thanks.