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
Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena. Unbelievable for the price. Better in my system than the EAR834p with premium Amperex Bugle Boys. Dead quiet, truthful, dynamic and wonderful PRAT. Love being off the grid!!! Music floats in an absolute silent black dimension.
ASR Basis Exclusive. I have the blue board version. It's a tad warmer (although less resolving) than the newer gold board version but I think it's right in the sweet spot of my system. I don't think I'll be needing another phono stage ever. Can't imagine what could sound better that was attainable price wise. Now if I could only get an Emitter to match!
See review(s) from Audiogon below site:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rprea&1330286889&&&/New-Valve-Order-SPA-II-Tube-preamp
Dhcod, I owned three versions of both: the Basis and the
Emitter II. Scheafer the owner/designer is very fond of modifications. Each new mod means new and higher price but not necessarily any improvement. The 2005 Basis was worst then 2003 version. I was not able to notice any difference
between ,say, 2002 Emitter II and 2006 Emitter II. The first 'golden' version (2008-9)of the Basis Exclusive was a disaster for me. I bought this one assuming that both MM
and MC connections were present but Scheafer decided for
some unknown reasons to mod this one with only MC inputs.
So I was 'forced' to buy the 2010 version a year later. I have some relatives by ASR company so I wrote 'forced' with quotation marks. Now if you live in Europe you can buy Emitter II for cheap on ebay.de or Audio-Markt.de. The
problem for those who live outside of Europe is the weight
and consequently the postage cost. With the Basis phono
however one can remove the batteries from the transformer
part and reduce the weight with +/- 12 kgr. This means 2
packets with less than 20 kgr. with reasonable postage cost.

Regards,