Stand-alone phono amps?

Kublakhan,

So for the Atma-Sphere doesn't need an amp in an all vinyl system? Is that recommended?

The Atma-Sphere phono mentioned by Atmasphere does require an amp. The Counterpoint SA9 is a phono that also requires an amp, plus it has very limited volume steps and no ability to accept inputs from tape or CD.

Even though Mike Elliott refers to his SA-9 as a stand-alone phono amp, he saying "a phono stage with gain (amp)", not an amp that's capable of driving speakers.

I owned three Counterpoint SA9 and two Counterpoint SA11 and the Magnum Opus that Mike built for a very short time when Counterpoint was about to close it's doors. The Magnum was built under the name EASE. Elliott Audio Science (&) Engineering.

Mike never built a phono stage that was capable of driving speakers directly.

Thanks Albert, that clears things up. I guess many of these phono amps that appear to not need an amp actually don't need a preamp.

The only phono stages i've found that don't need an amp are those in integrateds which were mostly popular pre '80's.

Absolutely correct. Good luck with your search.

Now when's that movie coming out? :^)