Best Full-Function Preamplifier

 I'm a vintage guy, the result of my Uncle's involvement, I guess. I happen to like my ancient SAE 2100L (I have the add on EQ and Parametric boxes all standing by and ready to go back in the game). I had everything recapped, cleaned, and tested about 10 yrs ago by retired SAE Tech. Now it's time to go record shopping.

I know,, as usual, of absolutely no help at all  🙄

EAR 912 is excellent.

used darTZeel NHB-18NS Mk1. includes a very fine phono stage. battery powered.

volume attenuation with optical couplers. Swiss built like a tank.

i owned the Mk1 version from 2006--2015, it’s awesome.

i believe the Mk1 can still be upgraded to the Mk2, but i could be wrong.

Dear @dodgealum : Essential 3180 that’s a true challenge for over 120K separates units like FM Acoustics or CH and better than Boulder or Dartzeel and the like. It's an active high gain balanced dual mono non-feedback fully discrete overall design with 2 totally  separates phono stages : MM/MC and second to none line stage.

@lewm that I think you know as a very well regarded Agoner owns the Essential 3160 and I hope he could chime here about and the interesting main issue behind the 3180 is that is a full-function design with the stages facilities you are looking for that comes with external power supply.

You can contact rauliruegas@hotmail.com

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

If it was me, and I’d just won the lottery, the CH Precision C1.2 starting at $36,000 and the T&A SDV3100 HV $38,900 would be a couple I’d like to check out.

All the best.