Stand out phono stages


This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo
Another vote for the TRON Seven.

Top class sounding tube phono stage with real quality build and bespoke components. Built to order and so you can specify MC gain, cartridge loading etc.
another vote for the Whest Audio PS.30RDT Special Edition and what I now own which is their MC REF V MK4. Excellent all discrete Class-A no BS stage which sounds unlike any SS state I compared it to. gain and load from the factory can be changed on request before shipping.
The Lamm will become an extraordinary MM & MC phono stage if you do some small changes, especially on the tubes, caps, connector plugs and SUTs. If you are using the MM input with a London Reference it is just great but also with matching external SUTs this will be a benchmark phono stage, sometimes underrated and possibly not equipped with the best possible ingredients by the manufacturer.
Thuchan is right. Lamm is quite hard to beat after doing some small modifications end spending a fine matched quad WE's 417A. Rgds, Marco
I agree with the earlier callouts on the Herron phono stages. I owned the VTPH-1mc+ and thought it was awesome. With a Benz low output moving coil, it performed better in my system that a Fosgate Signature that I had and then sold (Fosgate was awesome...LF/HF extension, aesthetics, etc. but I think my output was too low to fully realize it's abilities). I then upgraded to the VTPH-2. Even better -- larger (deeper, taller, wider) sound stage, more transparent, and equally quiet (no tube rush whatsover). Add to this that Keith Herron is superbly committed to his products and customers to a heroic level, and the Herron gear gets my vote.