Phono Stage That's not Schiit

+ 1 on the Puffin BIG bang for the buck 450-650. new...

+ 1 ZP3 Decware. 1200-2200. new. There are NO used ZP3s

LONG wait time.  I purchased mine Nov. 9, 2020 They posted my purchase  Nov 19, 2020

They haven't pulled the parts YET.. The 9th will be 6 months.

It also has a Tape option if you like..

32-36 weeks is actual build times though.. Guy need to hire some help.

Soundsmith too.. 4 weeks in stock.. Still no shipping..  One sick puppy..
That one I'm having a bit of a time with.. We'll see..

Sorry guys I went back to work after being shot and shattering my collar bone, three days later. Being BROKE never really slowed me down.. BECAUSE something always was, that make sense.. You get use to it being a mechanic.. Just the way it is.. three disk (2 in my neck one in my lower back) and WHOLE right hand right now...

oh  oh,, 16 heart attacks last year. Forgot about that.. Stupid thing..

I'm lucky, Guy at Soundsmith, they fitted him right up with blood clot for 6 months or so.. Took 4 months for my little clot BS last year. Never did get my wind back..

Puff Puff Pass brother.. I need to learn to stick and jab a little better.. I'm gettin' hit way too much.. LOL

Anyway felt like spewing, so I did..

Time to check on the chickens..

Regards

OP,. 

Consider this period in your audio life as an opportunity to get the best you can afford in a phono stage. You'll not be disappointed in the future.

Yeah, I understand your problem. I struggled with inexpensive ones. I bought highly recommended ones from a few hundred dollars and kept doubling it. I was always shocked by how bad they were. I finally got satisfied when I bought an Audio Research PH6... I think it was. I was never even remotely happy with phono stages until they were in the multiple thousands of dollars. But, you’ll get there. Happily I now own a Audio Research Ref 3, a wonderful sounding component.

I picked up a Project Tube Box S2 (not the DS2) a while back. Multiple gain and loading options available so matching to different carts is easy. Replaced the tubes with some Gold Lions, then bought a linear power supply to top it off. Now with that setup it definitely punches above its price range even if it seems like decking out a Honda to be a race car. I know you're looking bigger budget, but take the extra cash and spend it on the cart upgrade and a killer set of cables. Just my $0.02.