Best tube phono preamp under 10.000

[PeterA]

I have no huberous to say what I use is the best. Its good. It works for me. It is what I selected from what I heard and what I read or talked with friends about. But come on??????? There is no one Best Phono stage. There isn't. Just like there is no one best amp or speaker. There isn't. There are options.
Every stand alone piece of equipment is going to react to the environment it is set in. There is no standard for environments. Every room, every equipment setup, every power supply is different. There is 0, as in zero parameters that allow one to say anything is best.

For $10,000 there are 20 to 30 very nice phono preamps that someone could love. If I was in a room that did not have RF issues, I would probably have selected a different phono stage that the one I did. I love the phono pre I have, but I have heard better. But there were issues in my space. Noise issues. The new space I am in may not have the same issues as the old. But the phono pre I bought is darn good and I feel no impious to sell it for something else

You said there are so many good $10,000 phono stages and then asked how one could call one of those the best. I responded by suggesting that he could listen to the alternatives and decide for himself which he thinks is best. I don’t find that to be a very controversial answer to your question.

I assume you were asking in the general sense and not focusing on your own particular situation. I did my own phono stage comparison with three competing units in the $10,000 range in my own system. Yes it was only three and not 20 to 30, but it was immediately clear to me which one I thought was best. I simply judged by listening. I’m surprised your reaction was laughter.

 

[Kingrex]

I tried about 7 in my living room in the $4000 range. They were all good. They all had a flavor. I picked the one I liked that worked best. I did not pick the one that sounded best to me. There were actually a couple that I really liked. But they had noise issues.

With my first post, I was trying to say, there are so many choices, and so many variables, there is no best. There are options.

 

[adrianywu]

Sadly, I couldn't get the link to work.

Try searching EBay for this item: 163401826837

 

[No Regrets]

Try searching EBay for this item: 163401826837

Ah, thank you! This link worked in the eBay search bar.

Best wishes,
Don

 

[Anton D]

I would add the ModWright PH 150s.

 

[Anton D]

Ah, thank you! This link worked in the eBay search bar.

Best wishes,
Don

Very exciting!

 

[skids929]

These are all great choices. Bias aside, if you can stretch your budget just a bit, the Trafomatic Class A balanced preamplifier, which uses 6N30P output tubes and features a separate power supply, is worth listening to. Both Colin of Gestalt and Ron have enjoyed extended listening and can attest to the unit's considerable value. The Lara comes in black or white as standard.

Good luck with your search.

I honestly can't believe you are a dealer...Guy laid out his criteria, you ignored, suggested he buy preamp not a phono like he asked from a failing brand you are trying to revitalize for more than what he wanted to spend. Pay attention and quit schilling.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Anyone buying a new RIAA should consider a Parks Audio Waxwing , nothing comes near it when it comes to features and adjustments, and is a vinyl set up tool too. Very good RIAA implementation and good subsonic filters others can envy. And you will have more money to spend on records..

 

[Odd Harry]

Anyone buying a new RIAA should consider a Parks Audio Waxwing , nothing comes near it when it comes to features and adjustments, and is a vinyl set up tool too. Very good RIAA implementation and good subsonic filters others can envy. And you will have more money to spend on records..

Where is the Tubes located on the Parks Audio Waxwing ?

 

[analogsa]

Where is the Tubes located on the Parks Audio Waxwing ?

The tubes are emulted in the dsp. You can choose among many from the app, even directly heated