Phono stage--please help

The EAR I had didn't have a volume control, I read a review in Stereophile that recommended the unit without one because of the possible associtated noise it puts in the path. I have no expereinced so I really can't say. By the way, I understand the Ayre is an exceptional unit, I believe it is or was Michael Fremer's(Stereophile's analog man) reference preamp with phono. The preamp I upgraded to was a CAT with phono and in my system it's the best I have heard. Good luck.

If you think about it, old equipment was designed with phono stages when records where the only true hi-fi source.
My guess is that even a stock Dynaco PAS-3X tube preamp would give you great sound from the tape output.
I personally have an old PAS that was re-done (many of these around)which has a well-known tube designed phono stage which I still use in conjunction with newer line stages.
I wouldn't think of using anything but a tube phono stage.
As for moving coils. The only thing that has and still makes any sense is a low-output moving coil with a passive transformer like a Verion.
If all this sounds too problematic even though cost cutting, you could seek out a Counterpoint 2A, which are still going for a lot of money.
I am not knocking your equipment, certainly when I use a modified Adcom 5800 as my main amp, but I believe you have to ask yourself if that Adcom preamp will have enough resolution to make the expense of a high-priced phono section worth it. For example, I just saw an Sumo Electra preamp with MM and MC phono section going for $200.
I would try something like that first.
If I were going all out I would go for an all-triode Melos 333 linestage and separate phono stage, which is in the $3,000 range.
Since I am an older audiophile, I have gone to MM cartridges and no longer have the MC headaches.
If I do dabble back in, I would probably get a reasonably price hi-output MC that mates with a MM phono stage.
I hope this missive is more helpful than mysifying.
Best regards,
bob charlanza
reading, pa.

Try and find an Audio Research PH 3 hybrid phono preamp. This puppy will bring the ANALOG out of your records with aplomb! I am using one and am very pleased with the resultant musical bliss that it can produce. This unit can later be upgraded to SE status by ARC to bring it much closer to the multi-kilobuck ARC Reference phono preamp. You should be able to snatch one of these babies for around $1000-$1200 on the net.

You won't be sorry!

Considering your system is solid-state, I would heartily agree with either the AR PH3 or the EAR. These would give your system a boost of warmth and three-dimensionality. Haven't heard the EAR nor the upgraded PH3, but the original PH3 is a great-sounding and VERY flexible phono stage. Also, it's a bit off-topic, but I would advise investigating the Origin Live updates available to the LP-12, as the sound characteristics you describe may not be just the phono stage. I won't drone on here, so contact me directly if'n you're interested in knowing more (or go to www.originlive.com). Enjoy!

If you have balanced inputs on your preamp, the BAT phono stages are very good...you can get a vkp5 for around 1000-1200...