What is the best phono preamp you have heard?

I have been using the H-Cat phono for several years. I has the same character as the P-12BX line stage, namely very transparent, open, and clear. It has excellent top and bottom ends.

I have not tried other phono stages lately but were I to do so, it would be the Einstein Tube. I have heard it in other systems and can say I heard how quiet it is and been impressed with its sound. I also have friends who rave about it saying the reviews which are raves fall short of telling what it is capable of. Until I try it in my home, I will not know whether it has the "magic" of the H-Cat.

When the opportunity comes, it would also be great to hear the Aesthetix IO, Lamm LP2, Klyne, Nick Doshi’s, Audion Quattro, Raul's phonostage, Messenger (this along with Raul's, the Doshi and Audion are full function preamps), FM Acoustics, Connoisseur, and Boulder.

Raul's phonostage? Has anyone actually heard one of these besides Raul?

Perhaps not....

4yanx, I've ordered separates from Nick. Just to let everyone know that is an option.

FWIW, the phono stage in the Nick Doshi Alaap has been A/B'd by one Alaap owner or another against Aesthetix Io, Aesthetix Rhea, Klyne, Lamm LP2 and all three Suprateks. (Probably more, but those are the ones I'm sure of.)

The Alaap is better than any of these. Io, Rhea, Klyne and Supratek Grange owners have all replaced their units with one of Nick's. I am unbelievably lucky to have met him and to own one.

Swampwalker's VAC Renaissance came closer to my Alaap than any phono preamp I've heard. It didn't have quite the frequency extension but it was close in most other respects. I'd also love to hear Raul's, which I suspect is very good indeed.

These private built designs offer opportunities for no-compromise componentry and fanatically careful circuit layouts at a relatively affordable cost. When a design goes commercial then compromises must occur and/or the price must go through the roof. Private builders making one unit at a time can indulge in luxuries that would be impractical for a commercial operation.