Your Ultimate Phono Preamp: Which One Would You Choose?


Imagine you’re in the market for a high-end phono preamp (your ultimate, at least for the moment) and have the budget to splurge.

Which one would you get?

Perhaps you've already got it, which one?

go4vinyl

After going through a dozen preamps, I am in love with and will never let go of the internal phono pre in my Levinson 585.5. 
 

No joke (and with the caveat IMHO) it has bested Pass, Para, Boulder.

Pass labs XP27. Does everything with ease. Plenty of power and all controls for loading , gain and capacitance  on the front of the unit. 
they are also built like a tank, hefty and good looking. 
 

If pure analog joy is your end goal, I would point you towards the Sutherland TZ Direct (MSRP $8500) Transimpedance phono stage mated with a Mu-Tech Cart (MSRP $4900).  A heavenly pair.  Ron Sutherland is quite brilliant, and he hits this one out of the park.  Happy hunting.

Audio Research Reference Phono 10 is probably my end game. The thing sounds fantastic! And am totally happy.