Stand out phono stages

With my ZYX Airy 3 going to a K & K step up transformer, I auditioned a few phono preamps. The funny thing is that I had the phono pre all along. I connected my step up xformer to my properly setup Spectral DMC 10 Gamma (which I just recently had refurbished and brought up to 2007 spec) and then connected the output of the Spectral to a line level input on my Tri Vista 300. WOW. I've yet to hear anything better.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Counterpoint SA-9, upgraded by its designer, beat out the Steelhead with ease. Hard to find used because most wise music lovers hang on to it. My current phono corrector.

Gerrym5 ,

how would you compare your choices, especially the Io and the Wavestream? I've heard both but not side by side.

I can second Swampwalker's opinion that ZYX Artisan is very good. I have not compared it in the same system with all the great ones noted above, but I have heard some of them in systems I greatly respect and enjoy, and have no desire to 'upgrade' to one of those other megabuck phono stages. I think the Artisan swings above its weight (both figuratively and literally - the thing weighs almost nothing). I have also used it in mono and compared it against the Zanden mono stage reasonably extensively (got an offer I could not refuse on the Zanden). The ZYX is smooth and silky and does not sound 'solid-state-y' to my ears, but the Zanden does have a bit more lushness (euphonia).

Among those above which I have heard, if they were all the same price, the one I would choose would be the Connoisseur. I have heard one twice, and each time was wonderful. I also like the line stage.

Pedrillo,

I believe the very best phono stages are indeed very expensive but then again, they do possess state of the art components and design technology. FM Acoustic does a very good phonostage called the FM 222. However, the best I have ever heard (and which I own now) is the bespoke Essential 3160. It is not cheap, but you get a MC, MM and a line stage in the same unit. Apart from the flexibility that this allows, it is simply miles ahead of alternatives in design logic and execution.

A lot will depend on your own audial priorities, however, if you want live events brought into your listening space: the Essential 3160 is simply the best. It will change your expectations of hifi. Very, very, highly recommended.