Mainstream Phono Stages Incorporating Premium Branded PCB Parts - Do They Exist?

One afternoon at DeJaVu Audio, I listened to a pair of Audio Note speakers, I think their model E, if that makes sense, being driven first by an AN Kegon amplifier (for sale then at ~$125K) and then by the AN Ongaku (probably around $80K). This was at least 20 years ago, so maybe prices are higher now if those amplifiers are still in production. Anyway, they both sounded very good, but there was a distinct difference between them having to do with tonal balance. I cannot recall exactly how they differed in their presentation of music on a speaker presumably designed to accommodate both, but my thought was if there is such a thing as "perfection", ought these two amplifiers to be nearly identical in sound quality? Anyway, if expensive parts per se are the way to Nirvana, surely AN products ought to be on the way.

The Link will also show one more modern take on a Boutique Component.

I myself have similar plans for a particular component to be used on my Pre Amp Build, one just can't get enough ideas from one source about where to utilise Panzerholz.

The ever growing band of advocates is marching on.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/reality-quest-going-to-extremes-with-the-taiko-audio-sgm-extreme-part-2-of-5-r908/

Pindac, it is possible to post that URL as a clickable link. Can you give that a try?

I second Groovey on the SunValley Phono stage.  If you get it prebuilt in Japan, it comes with VCaps and all the other internal components are pretty good quality.  The only downside of it is the MC section which is terrible.  Otherwise, top notch.  Don Sachs made (or maybe still makes) a phono stage where he uses the best components he can find.  If you want a balanced phono stage, Atma-Sphere makes one as an option for his line stage.

@wescoman

Your first priority after deciding on your budget should be -

Does it meet your needs taking into account your cartridge and the ensuing line stage.

Sound quality ( in your system )

Build quality

Unfortunately therein lies the rub - what is build quality.

As a distributor some years ago of very high end I can tell you that I have seen numerous products - at around US$5k-$7k retail price where the product is full of dry joints ( poor solder joints ). Products that reviewed exceptionally well, products including a top phono stage used and endorsed by Michael Bremer, built poorly.

Secondly - designers may choose components for their electrical characteristics - a seemingly run of the mill quality cap may be chosen over an audiophile equivalent, not for cost purposes, but for specific electrical characteristics the designer wants.

Thirdly, I have seen many products with fake boutique audiophile components in them. The marketer sends the product in for review, and thereafter the production samples are not built to the same standard.

Over the years I have seen products that have had significant circuit changes and cost reductions ( power supply capacitance etc ) post the review.

Unfortunately I also have seen many audiophiles replacing components, not understanding the circuit and its requirements, and actually making the product worse.

This is our own fault as audiophiles demanding jewellery and "audiophile components".

In terms of manufacturing I can tell you first hand that many famous manufacturers have been advised by retailers "your product sounds fantastic, but for us to sell it we need xxx caps, yyy bindings posts, mmm brand wiring, gold plated this and that".

We get what we ask for in many instances - stuff that looks pretty, that has all the audiophile jewellery, but sounds average or worse, is unreliable.