What is the best phono preamp you have heard?


Please list them down! Thank you
rapogee
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.
Didn't Kevin Carter or K&K Audio phono stage fame design the Renaissance when he was with VAC? The K&K bested the Io (non sig) Rhea, and Klyne in the test we did. Never heard the Supratek
Just heard the phono stage in the Audio Note Japan (KONDO) M1000. Ouch! This has to be one of the best I've yet heard, can't afford one but for those with pockets......
i've owned or had in my system a few good phono stages including the Aesthetix Io, Io Sig w/dual power supplies, the Lamm LP2 Delux, BAT VK10SE and Blowtorch. i've heard the Connoisseur Definitions 4.0, Boulder, Manley, Wavac, and others at shows.

the phono stage in the battery powered darTZeel NHB-18NS preamp that i am currently using must be considered as a contender as best phono stage. it's extremely low noise floor, other-worldly dynamics, and ease and naturalness make it the best phono stage i have heard.

some of the phono stages i have only heard at shows may be as good or better but nothing i have experienced would indicate that.