Best head amp of the market ?

FYI, Hagtech's Piccolo is his own make and although I haven't tried it I would guess it is his usual excellent value, sold direct only. In his own words, he prefers step up transformers to active stages despite his own product. Raul here is adamant about the evils of SUTs. different strokes.

BTW, I forgot to mention above that there are at least two standards for measuring output of cartridges that can confuse your calculations by about 30%. The operative is voltage@5cm/sec or 3.54cm/sec.

Can't beat the Hagtech Piccolo for the price. It is superb.

The ZYX Artisan is, I think a complete phono stage (gain plus RIAA equalization). They do have a pre-pre or headamp (which I own) called a CCP-1 or something like that. It is quite good with my ZYX cart feeding the MM phono input of my VAC Ren Mk2 pre.

Hi

Thanks for all your responses . I have to see now what is available here in Europe .

tenmus

If you can find one in good shape, the Markof PPA-2 based on a battery-driven Marshall Leach design is a contender.  Back in the day it was considered one of the closest contenders to the Counterpoint SA-2 pre-preamp, which was acknowledged the finest.  I had both, and continue to use the PPA-2.  The SA-2 had wonderful, more dimensional tube sound but was a bear to get around humming.