Cheap SS phonostage

Here's another +1 for the Cambridge 640P. Very small with low height, and obscenely quiet, making for delicious dynamics. Fast and neutral. I've been living with mine for nearly a year and have no urge to swap it out.

I'm only guessing here, but I suspect a reason that the NAD, Music Hall, and Cambridge 640P all attain such high performance at such a small price in such a small package is related to the improvements in quietness, speed, and linearity of the latest op-amps.

Vintage Yamaha c70 preamp. Fantastic solid state phono unit.

Having owned a Rotel 970, I really didn't think it was that diffucult to best it without spending much more money (like a Musical Fidelity x-lps - *way* better in every aspect). I would rather risk buying the Soundsmith $199 phono stage unheard than the Rotel. Peter knows his stuff. That's just me, though.