Phono stages belong to which tier?

Agree with Kurt Tank,

Highly subjective and debateable. There is some consensus that top tier phono preamps I suggest belong somewhere on the continuum:

a) I use the Aesthetix IO Signature with 2 power supplies and volume controls. Very spacious and wide sound stage almost unmatched in this regard, great bloom. Maybe not the highest of the hyper sonic highs but very natural like Carnegie Hall. Bass is very good.

b) Also have the Klyne 7X3.5 phono and it does the highs and bass but not quite as spacious, if I did not have the Aesthetix I could very very easily live with this. It is a work of art in design and flexibility. I really like this unit and I believe it could hold its own for a top tier component.

Nkj

analogue playback is as volatile as speakers.
so it's tier 1.1.

I think there is more of a continuum than strict tiers - imo and in no particular order...

upper: ARC PH7, ARC Reference Phono 2, Atma-Sphere MP-1, Lamm LP2, Aesthetix IO Sig

middler: ARC PH5, Artemis Labs PH-1, Pass Labs XONO, ZYX Artisan, Aesthetix Rhea,

Where would you guys place the Linto?

I would also add to the top teir the Allnic H 3000, with it's transformer coupled design.

Since I am not a ss guy, i can not comment on these designs, but have heard and am impressed with the Einstein.

I have owned an Aesthetix (IO) Eclipse and Manley Steelhead, currently own a Lamm LP 2 as well as the Allnic and consider them all amoung the best.