Preamp for MA1 amp


I have Atma-Sphere MA1 Mk2.2s and wonder what the experience is out there in terms of preamps that work well. I need a preamp with integrated phono (clutter reduction). Two candidates: MP1 preamp from Atma-Sphere or Hovland? The former is completely balanced and has a phase switch, the second is not but well received in the press and this forum.
jkubina
Thnks all for you responses. I will go with MP-1 even if I now have to change my interconnects. Did try the Hovland, and it was superb, and good on the eyes too. I seem to agree with Fremer and others on this one.
Rushton, could you tell me what those options are, my local dealer has no clue as to what they might offer.
wondering if anyone here knows how the MA-1 MkII, fully tweaked, with phono stage, compares to the MA1 MkII line stage only with an aesthetix io phono stage. i own an io and am considering the MA-1 and wonder if i should sell the io (which i truely love) and get the internal MA1 phono instead.

as the io is 24 tubes and 2 boxes the real estate savings would be considerable. but which would sound better?

thanks,
Mike, you might want to look at the thread on Audio Asylum (see URL below) where Philip O'Hanlon tells of lending his Io to a friend who has an Atma-Sphere MP-1 preamplifier (next model up from the MP-3) and MA-1 amplifier. The friend so much preferred the phono stage of the Io that he has decided to sell the MP-1 and get an Io with volume controls and second switched input (eliminating any separate linestage). I spoke with Philip recently and he says plans are still in motion, but they are waiting for the soon-to-be released "Signature" version of the Io.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/114498.html