What is the Phono stage you have finished with?

Art Audio, Vinyl One made a wonderful difference in my system.
Got rid of a new PS Audio unit I had for about 4 weeks and got the AA instead. I've had it now for 2+ years and continue to be very happy. I got mine with the optional volume control.

Depends somewhat on the other equipment you have.

I have the Io sig with volume controls. I run a Koestu at supposedly .2mV There is no tube rush here. Of course, I had selected tubes put in the front end and was careful in doing so. Additionally, the unit is one of later production so this may have some bearing.

I just recently received a Klyne 7PX3.5 phono for a trial against the Io. So far I am having gain issues with my set up and the Klyne running through the Io's aux input so I'll have to try another combination to match volume levels more closely.

I think the Klyne and the Io represent top spot(s) in the valve vs. ss camps.

Goodluck.

Being in Europe easy to get Goldmund Mimesis PH 3 or FM acoustics. Have heard both and the FM Acoustics is by far the best phono preamp I have heard. The Goldmund is right behind it and not that far of the pace of the FM Acoustics. Price wise not for the faint of heart.

Re Downunder: "I would have luved the IO, however too noisy."
Yes, my Io, bought used, was noisy, and remained noisy with various NOS tube experiments. It got so bad that I asked for a full tube replacement from Aesthetix. That fixed my noise problems, now it sounds great.

i am by no means an expert, but the zyx artisan is a quality ss phono preamp. I have borrowed a couple of tube phono's before i got the zyx. I have not a/b's using my friends tube preamp so i can not say if i am better or worse, but the quality is much better than my vandersteen ol and rotel. I have learned there is no finished but rather content for a while. I am there right now on my analog setup