What is the Phono stage you have finished with?

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

My own super biased opinion - the PBN Audio Olympia PX -
Balanced operation - fully discrete - fully regulated power supply larger than most power amps - does not get much better :-) go to the website and take a look.

ATB

Peter