Just got back in the vinyl community

Hi SFVolvo. I am in a position to offer you an excellent recommendation, given your limitation on budget.

This little phono stage is crazy good for the money, especially used. It won’t have the same insight vis a vis texture, inner detail, scale, staging and overall refinement of a great tube phono stage. However this little box is so enjoyable, and offers tremendous dynamics and excitement for the money. The Lehmann Black Cube SE made in Germany; . Buy used - a real bargain for around $400.

In response to cey question on back order, I was looking for the black finish to match the Audiolab amp. I could have gotten the silver one right the way if I have to get one quick. As 4afsanakhan suggestion, I understand Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE Phono Stage is a award-wining pre-amp. I prefer the tube phono pre-amp at that price range. Thanks again for your inputs

@sfvolvo As you have investigated a German Produced Phon' and have also made a reference to Valve being a preference.

I do not usually recommend, but due to having hands on experiences, will put forward a Phon' that might just tick 'all' (if not, many) of your Tick Boxes.

The Mr Nixie DIGNA is a Design that far surpasses its asking price as a performer.

As an individual, I really like it, and it took a purchase of a Phon' that was to retail at £5K to relegate it to my second Phon', the DIGNA is still used for about 30% of my vinyl usage, as it is still very well liked.

I have never heard Phon's in use, that have had a friends own design Head Amp used to create MC Input surpass the DIGNA set up to perform the same role.

When the Head Amp Design is attached to the DIGNA MM Input, the presentation goes of the scale.

Within my local HiFi Group, where up to Nine Members can be at a arranged meeting, for numerous months of a extended loan period, the DIGNA was the Phon' of choice and the reference Phon', used for all comparisons.

The Group did have the DIGNA , as a model which had undergone a slight modification to enable the usage of Vintage E88CC Tubes. The Phon' held it own in comparisons against Commercial Products being assessed and DIY Builds from Group Members or Loaned In for Demo' Models.

The Group are every so often intimating there should be another session dedicated to the DIGNA.

It is solely as a result of the above experiences, that I make the suggestion to investigate the said Model.

A search over time, which I have Carried out,  will show the Model I own is  periodically appear as used items, with a asking price of approx' euro 500.  

To me, the quality of the pressing and the condition of the vinyl is the most important thing for enjoying the music on them.  New records are a mixed bag.  On some, you can hear for yourself that they sound like a CD.  And old records that have not been cared for are hardly my cuppa.

Getting back into vinyl has been hugely rewarding for me and I hope you will agree. It is work, and brings some frustration along with it, but sound-wise, it really is as good as it gets when it's right. There is also something to be said for the physical aspect of the medium (cover art, good sleeves, liner notes, etc.), as well as the beauty of a fine cartridge. Enjoy!!