If boulder is tops what is second tier?

It seems that the only person who has not read carefully what Mr Maez wrote is Mr Maez: the interconnecting wire may affect the sonic result -- but it's not (or shouldn't be) affecting the operation of the circuit...

Well, of course it isn't, or shouldn't, for goodess sake. No one's complaining about that.
No one's complaining about the purported quality of Boulder products either.

Albertporter was not very happy about Boulder peoples' attitude -- not the design of the electronics power supplies.

The wire (and attachments thereof) seem to be affecting the signal transfer. That's what everyone's complaining about.

Raul notes:

a phonolinepreamp (...) output impedance remain at less or around 100 Ohms

Excellent point. In fact, try a max of 60 ohm, with the next stage at standard.

I am going to do something shocking, specifically, respond to Pedrillo's question.

You may wish to consider a used Rowland Cadence phono stage, especially if it is run from the Rowland battery power supply as opposed to the A/C power supply (it works with either, but better from batteries). The Cadence is flexible, offering four loading / output options. Used, it runs around $2,000-$3,000. In fact, what you may want to consider is running the Cadence with the Rowland Coherence II preamp, whereby both are run from the Rowland battery power supply. The Coherence II was Rowland's best preamp and goes for +/- $6,000 used (expect to pay $7,500-$8,000 for the Coherence / Cadence combo). I believe that Rowland was the first high-end manufacturer to go to battery power for components, the Edge, ASR, Sutherland and darTZeel designs coming years after.

If your budget is $3,000, I doubt the Cadence idea will get any argument from Rich Maez, as he was with Rowland during the Coherence / Cadence years and does not have a Boulder phono stage in this "modest" price range. I believe Raul likes the Cadence as well. So there, no more arguments.

Disclaimer: This combo is a personal favorite, as I run the Coherence II / Cadence.

I am happy with my Krell KPE.

Tell me your cartridge choices and because of their "sound" and "price" and I'll likely predict what phono pre-amps will fit your top and second tiers.

My tops are Mares Connoisseur 2.0 and Aesthetix's Io Signature (NOS tubes) with two PS (NOS tubes). They sound so different and yet are both so right. Maybe ASR or the new Wavestream should be up there but I haven't heard these at home in my system. I have heard excellent ARC Reference, Lamm, Jadis MC-80 MC-200, Spectral and CAT Signature pre-amps. But, the Aesthetix's Io Signature is my love.

My second tier would be a Vendetta 2c or Manley Steelhead.

Best buy may be ther new Wavestream.

Have fun and always enjoy the music first.

cheers,
GerryM5

Maybe Boulder suggested that Cables do nothing so that you can save your pennies to be able to afford their equipment. Lord knows it is expensive. : )