Stand out phono stages

Did I miss it or did someone leave Counterpoint off this list? The SA-9 is as hard to find as sasquatch. The phono section built into the SA-5.1 will simply smoke most of what is out there (not to mention the killer line stage).

In this day of line stages and phono stages being marketed as "all tube" or "pure tube" when in fact the only tubes they have are the ones in the line stage or phono stage, the Counterpoint SA-5.1 is the real deal. The SA-5.1 has not only a tube rectifier, but it also has extensive vacuum tube voltage regulation (a total of 4 tubes for the power supply). There is something about the sound of pure tube power supplies vice SS power supplies. Tube power supplies sound more alive and thus more real.

I hate to sound as if I am pounding the same old drum, but the Einstein phonostage is silly good and shows up on Audiogon used for a really low price. It comes with a varirty of loading resistors and can be improved by using HiFi Tuning fuses and the right power cord.

Hi all, Alas I have not much to offer regarding the comparitions but I am 'in'the ASR for more then 10 years. Ie before H.Pirson heard about ASR. I was much impressed by Banpukus (12.14.07) story even if my actual Basis Exclusive is the so called 'gold version'. What I can say
is about the the durability ,reliabilty and the ease of use of this phonopre. Two independent phono-pres actualy. In those 10 years I have had not an single problem with non of the different 'versions'. I own also the Emitter II
Exclusive ( and owned 2 earlier versions) and had never any problem with them. My nick -name for all those ASR's
is :'the German artillery'.
Regards,

JLTI, with a new preamp this phono stage has the opportunity to shine. Works well with calypso.

There are 120 inputs for this subject and I have read over 40. Everyone has their opinion of what they think is the best Phono Stage, I got a kick reading some of these, some of the guys say they have a so and so Phono Stage and nothing can top it; it’s the best. Well in my opinion all you guys are right, what you own is the best. I own one of the latest AR Stages and I think it is the best, that is; it is the best for me.
What ever Phono Stage you own if it is a good match for the rest of your equipment and when you listen to your favorite music it thrills you as it does me then you have the best Phono Stage; Bar None.
There is so much really great sounding equipment that there is no such thing as any one being the best and I am sure all you real audiophiles know that.