Reasonable tube phono stage for Oracle Alexandria?

arc ph3 is a GREAT reccomendation. Shure seems outdated, was great in its day. I like my SS. plinius jarrah/ rega/ dynavector 10x4 combo- sort of low-end hi- end, but the audio research idea is a good one - if you can get it that cheap.

I have heard a lot of good things about the ARC PH3, but I think I am looking for something a little bit cheaper, and more user friendly as far as switching between MC and MM is concerned. I'm not trying to set up a workshop over this; I'll settle for a switch or button or maybe even a jumper.

Does anyone have experience with the ASL offerings in this area?

I actually really like the performance of Bluepoints for the money.

Hammy, I have been looking at the Dynavector 10x4 and will own one sooner than later.

Any ideas on a good tonearm upgrade for this table? Some previous threads indicate that the Alexandria can be fickle this way.

go for the dyna 10x5, it's a better cartridge, lot's of improvements over the 10x4

What advantages does the 10X5 have readster? I'm sure it's better, but please elaborate.

Your Oracle Alexander/MMT set up is an extremely cost effective combo as it is, assuming that you have it is operating properly and set up well. You really won't get any kind of major improvement by getting a new tone arm. (I have owned this system for the past 10+ years and it competes with my Delphi, but doesn't best it).

Re phono stage, if you are going to get a MC cartridge be sure your phono stage allows you to adjust the load or matching cartridges will be a crap shoot. Personally I like the EAR 834P, but it might be a tad more costly than your budget.

In selecting a cartridge be sure to match the mass of the tone arm to the comnpliance of the cartridge. The MMT is a medium mass arm and your cartridge compliance should not be too high or low. FWIW I use a Micro Benz Glider on my Alexander.