Tube Phono Stage Help

Lewm,
To clarify, I now am using the Cary Cinema SS amp until the recently ordered Spectron arrives. I suspect it is more the nature of the recordings that give a lean sound rather than the phonostage. And of course I am very curious how a tube unit would sound. I suspect the Whest is rather forward as well.

To sort this out, if you think the sound is "lean" with the Cary/Whest combo, the "problem" probably won't be cured by introduction of the Spectron, but I could be very wrong. I used to think based on listening experiences that Class D amps were by definition "lean", but recent reports suggest that maybe the latest circuits (which I have not heard) have been designed to sound more like tubes than do conventional solid state devices. Ergo you might be pleasantly surprised by the change when you introduce the Spectron. I would not make a move until you get the Spectron and have had a chance to live with it and the Whest in the same system.

4th vote for the Jolida. I use GE 5751 Triple Mica Blackplates with silver clips instead of the stock 12AX7's that come with it. Wonderful, clear, detailed sound with lots of gain. Highly recommended!

I had the Jolida and felt it was very nice phono stage. Then I moved to the EAR 834p and felt this was a noticeable improvement, albeit for more $.

Thanks for the responses. I purchased the Jolida for 15% off the $450 price, so I couldnt resist. I see that it can be modded so there is an upgrade path for the future.