What phono preamp are you using?

I was using a Benz PP1, but I recently traded some unused speakers for a Chinese clone of the EAR 834 phono preamp (MM only), and have fallen in love with the thing. So now I am back to MMs (albeit, 2mV lowish outputs) for the first time in years.

Waiting for a cheap head amp to arrive, to try it with a LOMC, and if that sounds as good or better than the Benz, I will start playing around with SUTs.

If you want to get a Herron, you better act fast.  Keith said he's only going to make a couple more and I just ordered one of them.  It'll be a couple of weeks before I get it, so I can't comment yet on quality, but I have his monoblock amps which are fantastic and based on everything I've read, I'm confident the phono stage will be a nice step up from my current Manley Chinook.  

@ big_greg

Sure glad you posted about Keith - - I'd been wondering about that.  In fact, I just unhooked mine in order to photo and box for sale.  I only had about 40 hours on it.  I "invested" about $8K in acoustic remodel for my listening room, and have been listening to digital while I get my TT and new cartridge set up after taking everything out of the room for the new acoustics install, room sweeps, mod's, and refinement.   Figured I'd buy another Herron phono maybe late next year.   Dang...now I'm not sure I should sell it - - cuz I sure don't know what I'd replace it with!  

I’m using a Sound Smith Paua II cartridge with a Bob’s Devices Sky 20 SUT and Sutherland Duo phono amp. The sound is completely amazing. I’m not into hyperbole, but when I sit and listen to my albums I feel like I’m in the studio with the artists. It’s not just an aural experience, it is a tangible one as well. As far as I’m concerned Peter Lederman makes the best phono cartridges you can buy. Also, Ron Sutherland is a genius when it comes to (comparatively inexpensive) phono stages, and Bob Sattin (from Bob’s Devices) makes incredible SUT’s for when you need a little boost before your phono stage. You really cannot go wrong with any of their products.
Have fun, and good luck!

James1911,
Of the four you mention, the only one I'm familiar with is the Whest. The signature three I own replaced an older Sonic Frontier Signature tube phono stage. I like it much better in my system but can tell you it doesn't sound like a tube amp. If that is what you are looking for, the first 2 you mentioned are highly praised here.