Stand out phono stages

Thanks Lewm..interestingly (while at work)I can view and post in the discussion forum but the buy sell area is inaccessible(websensed)...go figure. I like getting paid researching audio gear while at work so that at home (on my dime), I can spend more time listening...LOL

I am trying to narrow my ref phono stage candidates down. The contenders:

FM Acoustics
Manley Steelhead
Pass Labs XP-25

Looking at the intro FM Acoustics model on a couple of 4 sale ads, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed at the power supply...nothing more than a plastic DC black box attached to a rudimentary lamp power cord. Very disappointing for $10K.

I suppose the Allnic Reference H-3000 must be considered too. I nicely priced used one is for sale here.

Decisions.....

I sold my Allnic H-3000 to move to the Whest Audio MC REF V MK4. The Whest is SOOO much better! The Allnic is just far too smooth like the other phono units in their range.

I suppose if you are into tubes it's a good buy, but it 'covers' over too much for my liking. I like a more realistic sound - wanna hear everything. I wrote a mini-review of the MC REF V Mk4 here a while back. I still haven't heard anything as good. I heard some very 'romantic' units but none so revealing.

Apparently the US distributor has been dropped and you can now buy Whest Audio direct with a full 5 year warranty. Best part...you can buy the B-graded units in 115vac! It was one of the things that I wanted to do when I was living in CA.

07-14-11: Dcarol
I sold my Allnic H-3000 to move to the Whest Audio MC REF V MK4. The Whest is SOOO much better! The Allnic is just far too smooth like the other phono units in their range.

Hi Dcarol. That is a most interesting SS option. I see elusivedisc has them in stock...$20K...yowsa...pretty pricey. I do wonder how it stacks up against Pass Labs XP-25 which is close to half the price...I saw your mini review here:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1292086567

Definately food for thought, but I don't see how a demo would be possible. Not sure I have the stomach to drop $20K w/o hearing on in my system first. Thanks for your input.

Chris

I don't often participate in these forums, but would like to weigh in on the comments made by fellow Audiogoners, on the AMR PH-77

I purchased it late last year, and had many wonderful listening sessions with it. To say that an AMR product is "mechanical" is not entirely correct, as the entire Reference 77 range has one of the most natural tones I can find in the market

But, Karelfd said it best, that the decisive decision to buy anything is the fit into your own system

I am happy to say that the PH-77 fitted into my system like a glove, and I have 3D images in rock solid positions, while still producing the fluid continuity that tubes are best for ... rock on ... this is definitely a keeper