Solid State Phono Stages

+1 @pindac! Wonderfully said. I would say that in both cases, either across industry events, working directly with manufacturers, and buying/selling on the used market has expanded my network in ways I value sometimes more than the gear I end up getting.

While I am curious about SS stages, one of the reasons I love my Modwright PH9.0X (aside from the fact that it kicks serious butt) is my multi-year engagement with Dan Wright. He has been an incredible designer and engineer that listens and provides impeccable guidance. He has designed some products around my needs.

I always tend to find myself keeping in contact with anyone I buy and sell from as well, and the perspective gained from that is priceless. It's unfortunate that forum dialogue and interaction doesn't result in the same level of real-world relationships.

@thiefoflight  …”But I am in the camp that believes that a component can be analytical and be incredibly musical and enjoyable.”

ok, we definitely are talking about definitions.. Maybe it is just because I am an old fart, but analytical to me means overly detailed… achieved by less midrange and bass bloom… causing a highlighting of detail… which always comes at a loss of warmth and generally musicality. It is like slam which is increased by reducing midrange and upper bass… the contrast highlights the fast transient bass (something ss is good at). But the downside is you loose bass resolution.
 

To me you are talking about wanting a detailed musical system… the thing ARC is known for. Analytical has bad connotations to me.

@ghdprentice We're understanding each other. Musical and detailed to me also has bad connotations. For me, analytical allows me to "see" into the music. Being detailed is not always good if the detail is not being presented well. If it's just in your face without grace, the listener has no focal point and it all falls apart. That's probably what you associate as analytical. But the true root of analytical is something that can be analyzed, so delivery and presentation matters a lot. This topic is something that has caused divide across the community for so many years, even generations, and hopefully one day it will be bridged. I, too, don't want to associate myself as a typical "analytical" listener, but I won't deny that I want to hear it all, and hear it all with grace and soul.

Enthusiast evolve in their understanding of how to listen to music analytically and for pleasure.

Enthusiast also evolve in their understanding of how the system in use works as an entire set up. The enthusiast will have a good grasp on where the system is in terms of the performance on offer and where they might have a want for it, as it is not quite able to deliver in a certain frequency or perception to the owners unique preferences.

Engineers evolve as well, their hands on experience and interactions hone the skill set, and the hooks that adopt to eek the best out of a circuit becomes their signature.

Keeping in contact with an individual who has skills that one can only dream off acquiring and also one that has a trust in you, at times inviting you along for ypur thoughts to be shared and showing a dependence on your own experiences, is a great place to be. I would not change a thing.

Andy Groves who is the Head Engineer in Audionote and possibly is executive in the Company was the designer of my first owned SS Phonostage.

Andy was also instrumental in the design of my first Valve Power Amp.

Both of these designs introduced me to an EE who I am still good friends with today and we are at present doing a project together once more.

Andy now uses Panzerholz as part of the structure for certain Audionote Circuits, the material might even be used for all the products created at present.

Is this a circuit improvement electronically or is a structure that improves the circuit when in operation ?? It is a hook and is born as an idea and then curiosity has yielded the result where the method is seen as worthwhile and to part of a design.

My own Engineer has developed hooks and he is quite protective of these, he has always requested that I do not make knowledge of his IP known, which I have faithfully honoured.

Another Electronics Engineer friend who has produced Pre Amps and Phonostages,  felt that his HiFi system was maxed, and there was no need to add a device of any type.

They were curious about the interfaces for the umbilical's.The individual has high quality Cables and RCA Plugs, and focused on the Chassis Sockets, as the next parts to be considered to be exchanged.

The swap of the Sockets to another brands Chassis Mount Sockets blew him away at the improvements on offer, I have heard this exchange of parts and the change is detectable and is a method I will be adopting.

Keeping the curiosity and interest is important and being broad minded will go a long way. A look at the simpler things in the system can yield the levels of change in a system, that some part with extortionate amounts of monies to try to correct. 

@thiefoflight 

I hope i did not offend you as that wasn't intended. The problem with forum threads is that it often becomes my latest is the best and i will talk about it until i get the next item.

roy gregory who was at hifi plus did a series of very good reviews around 15 years ago - many of the units are still in production such as the EAR, Boulder and Tom Evans.

If it were my money - BOULDER; WHEST - 

If I could afford it constellation - also consider parasound jc3 - i heard one in a parasound system - i have both a whest and vendetta in my system - love them both