What phono preamp are you using?

I’m running my Soundsmith Paua2 es into a Modwright PH 9.0X (set to 470 ohms) with Valvo E88cc NOS tubes from 1964. These tubes have proven to be the absolute best with some close runner ups, such as the NOS Bel/India 6922 made by Philips, Siemens NOS E88cc and Amperex JAN 6922 NOS in that order. All of the above proved a bit better than the Amperex PQ Holland 7308 NOS tubes and all of them are much better than every current production tube that I tried. Some of the above tubes sound better with Herbies RX or Halo tube dampers, and some without. I can’t imagine it getting any better than this, ime. 

Been through a few until I settled on the Channel Islands Audio PEQ, and the upgraded power supply. A Nagaoka MP-200 sending the signal. Fairly convinced I’d have to spend around $5k to get noticeably better sound from the phono stage.

I’m using a Gold Grace F-9 cartridge with a Soundsmith nude Ruby OCL stylus.

I’m very excited to be getting a brand new Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp within the next several weeks!

those old F-9s are still something..

@pesky_wabbit, initially I had no idea what it was. I was interested in bidding on a Denon DP-62L turntable and the cartridge wasn't mentioned in the listing. I messaged the seller who told me it was an F-9. I found out about it when I looked it up. My high bid accounted for both TT, cart, and some wiggle room. My winning bid was half the value, essentially I either got the TT or cart for free. It's one of my best eBay purchases ever. Obviously, I had no idea how old the original stylus was so I ordered the Soundsmith replacement. I bought a record through Discogs and Michael Fremer happened to be the seller. He told me that I was wise to pair it with the Soundsmith nude Ruby OCL stylus. He said he has the exact same setup. I've been extremely pleased with it. Now it's time to see what the Herron VTPH-2A will add.