EAR 834 line stage

I have it  and have used it in the last 15+ years - Denon 103 MC cartridge  - it is great sweet sounding, detailed - very pleasant. I also have the Quad QC-24P Valve MM/MC Phono Stage which is just as good.

I don't have good experience with Solid State Phono stages (Lehmann cube is one I have and is thin and flat sounding)

In fact I have tube mm stages in a Copland CTA 301 MK II tube Preamp
and in a Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Preamp (I have an EAR SUT MC 3 and the Dynavector Step-up Transformer –SUP-200  for Low MC)

People's millage may vary of course - I like the EAR (has NOS tubes)

In case  u are interested - the turntables are 1 - J.A. Michel Gyro Orbe SE , SME IV, Ortofon Kontrapunkt "b" MC

and 2 Denons (47F and 59L Dynavector Karat 17D2 MC) .....(i have others -Dual 1229, 5000, and a Thorens 145)- yes - crazy - i know

For $13 large, a fella could buy lots of good preowned tubed preamps.  A few used models that pop into mind are:

1) Reference 40 by Audio Research, separate signal and power supply chassis

2) VTL 7.5 Mk III - Same as above, two chassis

3) VAC Renaissance Mk II - 2 chassis

4) Lamm L2.1 Reference - 2 chassis

I’ve never seen an EAR 912 for sale used. 868’s come up every so often, selling at around $3,000 for the "L" version (line stage only), $4,000 for the "PL" (phono and line).

I have been using the EAR 834P Phono Box for about 4 years now.  Using through EAR 834 Integrated Amplifier.  I no longer look for upgrades. Sound is fantastic. I think all components in the system have to compliment one another ie. cartridge , turntable, speakers etc. It means a lot of research but rewards well. 

I have the EAR 868 and a pig will fly over a frozen lake in hell before I would consider parting with it.  Paired with the Bryston 4B3.  They seem to love each other.