Best value phono $1-1.5k

Wright Sound AG Phono with NOS tubes.

I haven't, unfortunately, compared to the other units, but I have owned the Aqvox for well over a year now and am extremely pleased with it.

The Aqvox is unique, I believe, among those you mentioned in that it has both balanced inputs and outputs (the others have only balanced outputs). If you heard it at the dealer without the tonearm leads being modified for truly balanced connection then you only heard about 80% of what it's capable of. The balanced input is much more critcal than the balanced output in terms of getting the most from the Aqvox.

If you were going to go MM (at least long term), I probably wouldn't do the Aqvox. For MC's (either high or low output) going balanced from the cartridge, it is literally plug and play with the current injection mode (I believe the only phono stage in the world offering both fully balanced inputs/outputs and current injection mode); you will never have to even worry about loading.

To say I've been happy with mine is an understatement.

From my experience over the last 6 months, I would say Vacuumstate JTLI is easily the best value in this range without any hesitation.

Over the past months I have heard the following ones in direct comparison to the JLTI:

- Wright WPP200C
- Trichord Dino
- Dynavector P75 II
- EAR 834P Deluxe
- Sutherland Ph.D.
- Aesthetix Rhea
- Mac C1000

The following I heard many times but not in direct comparison
- Artemis
- EAR 912
- PS Audio GCPH
- Tom Evans Groove

Cartridges heard through the JLTI so far:
- Denon DL103R
- Lyra Argo (i)
- ZYX Universe
- Grado Sonata
- Dynavector DV20X

So far it is my top pick regardless!! of price to my very surprise. I actually didn't want to believe that this one is that good - thus the long list of opponents. Also, a friend who has heard most of the above will wholeheartedly agree. It depends a little on what you are looking for - the EAR834 and Wright WPP200C are very good if you are looking for a smooth midrange oriented, full sound. The JLTI is very neutral but most importantly has more resolution, better attack and decay, flow, image layering, separation between instruments, and realism that I have not heard from any phonostage so far. The Ph. D., Artemis, and EAR912 have slightly different strengths and it would come down to preference there.

The last version of the JLTI is very flexible with loading as it uses RCA plugs that are easy to make yourself. Gain is closer to 60dB in the MC setting and 40dB in MM -simple but effective. No capacitive loading changes though.

There are a few that I would still like to hear, e.g. the Pass Xono, K&K, ASR Basis Exclusive, but I guess they may be out of your range.

Just my experience though...

Rene

Rene, thanks for the recommendation, the JLTI sounds interesting. I did a bit of searching and it appears to have gone up in price a bit.(?) The website has 2 versions, one black one with the RCAs on one side, and another with the silver faceplate. Which was the one that you are using?

ASR mini Basis with chip upgrade, head and shoulders better then the Sim Lp5.3...