3k Phono preamp upgrade options (JC3+, XP-17, etc)

@riskymilk No, there are not really any other options with a lot of availability aside from the Sovtek that ship with the unit. Electro Harmonix also makes one, but that too is hard to find and not as good as the Reflektor. 

Keep in mind that it is very quiet considering it is a tube unit. I believe with great tubes the unit is at ~75-85db SNR. But it is still not as quiet as some of the ultra-high end SS stages which approach 100db SNR. That said, most people are not as anal since record groove noise is about 70db SNR. 

SPL Phonos. Under $2k and is a solid, solid choice.

Built in Germany and is one of a few recommendations I have picked up off Agon and have zero regrets over. Built like a tank and would be worht the price at @ $3000.00

Mijostyn, Curl designed a pre-preamp for Mark Levenson back in the mid 70s. That was basically a gain stage to be placed ahead of a conventional moving magnet phono stage, because back then there were very few if any phono stages that by themselves had sufficient gain for moving coil cartridges which were just then introduced in a big way in the US market. Since then he has had two designs that are associated with his name that seem to be classics. The Vendetta is one. There are several people who frequent this forum who own it and mention it. The other one was the CTC Blowtorch , which I guess was a very limited edition, because they are rare as hen’s teeth and you never see them for sale. Other than those three items, what among his designs is so wonderful? And I am not so sure that the original pre-preamplifier was anything sonically exceptional. it was novel only because it was a unique product at the time. Nelson Pass, on the other hand is definitely a pioneer in advancing the art of solid-state audio design, both for preamplifiers and amplifiers. And he never stops working. And you could be sure that whatever comes out under his name or under the First Watt name is his design. So sight unheard, I would take the Pass preamplifier over the JC 3+. But by all means, one should audition both if one is choosing between them. I wouldn’t buy the JC3+ just because of the JC.

@riskymilk.  Mine is an upgraded 9.0. It cost me $1000 about 15 months ago for the upgrade to the X.  I think it’s $1200 now.

@riskymilk - I own the Pass XP-17, JC3+, and PS Audio Steller phono preamps. All are extremely good. The Pass XP-17 is the best.

       -GAR