Stand out phono stages

I have heard the AMR a number of times and it would seem to me Downunder's story is a perfect illustration of dealers (or indeed representatives at shows) not always taking the necessary care to show the gear at its best. In fairness to dealers, it is of course not really possible to build perfect systems around every single component they have in their product range. Especially the observation that the PH-77 was "more mechanical", is a smoking gun, though (no AMR gear sounds mechanical or at least it shouldn't).
The first time, I heard the PH-77 was in a system with a Montegiro Legno table (don't recall the cart), AM-77 amp, Marten Coltrane Momento and Jorma cable loom and it sounded, well, "merely" very good. The most recent session was a system with Dr. Feickert Woodpecker with Lyra cart, AMR-77, Kiso HB1 monitors and selected cabling built by ... Thomas Fast, and that is precisely where the difference lies! Thomas is one of those people that will go any length to ensure the gear he presents can go to the "beauty contest". Matter of fact, Downunder's description of the ARC's virtues will then fit perfectly to the AMR.
Moral of the story: our own system will be decisive in the end.

Btw: in a much more affordable price bracket (EUR 2k), I hope to hear the B.M.C. Phono MCCI soon, supposed to be a dramatic overachiever. Anyone heard it yet?

Lewm,
The Klyne was excellent back then but now has easily surpassed by the much cheaper Einstein. The ASR has a barely acceptable above the average performance, equal of the best of the TEADs also they doesn't worth the asking price.
The Krell KPE+PSU is simply unlistenable.
Most of the tube units that I've heard have some problems with detail perhaps the printed circuit boards gives some parasitic capacitance so, I would suggest a point to point wiring inside. Keep in mind that tube rolling is a must for tuning about body & weight so, maybe to focus for max detail in the stock tubed units.

Vintage PS Audio PSIII

i have one and it's pretty fantastic. from about 1979 or so. actually never had any of the more modern or expensive Phono Pre's...
if they are half as good as this i'd be surprised. i watch for these and there have been several on eBay lately. i actually lost (or partially lost) an auction for one along with the matching Linear Control Center Pre Amp last year...

I must say I am really digging my Audio Note Kits phono pre decked out with all the options. Same circuit as the M3, I believe. It's everything you'd want in a tube phono pre. And only about $1200 new.

Building your own stuff is a great way to get off the gear-trading merry-go, since you don't want to sell it, generally. Upgrade it, maybe.

Precision Fidelity C7/A Revised: Passive line stage with phono. This instrument pretty much stays out of the way.