Phono Stage Question

No reviews on web yet but I have heard Simaudio LP5.3 is good.

Thanks guys for the suggestions. My table will be here in about a week. I'm starting out with a Benz Ace cartridge. I'm using Von Schweikert VR4jr speakers powered with a Pass 250.5 amp and a Simaudio P5-LE preamp. I'm hearing some good things about the Heed Audio Quasar. The EAR 834 seems to be popular too. I'm looking to spend around 1K on the phonostage, new or used. I'm looking forward to listening to my old Gentle Giant albums again.

I concur with what you heard about the Heed Audio Quasar. I have a friend that runs Blackbird Audio and he uses it with his Basis Turntable. Hands down the best SS unit I have Heard under 2500.00. At CES the distributor used it with his ref. table and cartridge becuase the VIVA unit didn't show up. I hear it held up very nicely.

I heard that room at CES and the Heed is a great value. At your 1k point there are alot of contenders. Michael Yee has just come out with a battery operated phono for Musical Surroundings at 1k just as Ron Sutherland has. Michael's compares very well to the $2800 model but without the frills. ASR also has one at that price, not battery powered. Audio Electronics has their PH-1 DJH for $900. EAR has an mm version of the 834P Black for 1k. I think you'd have to compare them side by side to get a proper take on them though.

Which Benz Ace?

If the gain of the phono stage is too low, you will have to turn up the pre-amp, resulting in more noise.