Phono stage good for classical and jazz?

I second Lewm's recommendation of the Quicksilver; excellent phono stage. For the sake of perspective, and for whatever it may be worth: I remember years ago, while shopping for a phono stage, going to a local audio emporium and comparing (same system) the Audio Research SP-14, the recently released Audible Illusions M3 and the Quicksilver. The Quicksilver was, hands down, the best at presenting natural tonal colors within a stable and detailed soundstage; very, very musical in the "sound of live acoustic instruments" sense. A couple of phono stages later, I have settled on the EAR 834 (now heavily modified) which shares a very similar sound to the Quicksilver but with MC capability. Good luck.

Just purchased an ear834 with classic 1, dv10x5. The ear does not seem to be as in favor as it once was, but I liked having a tube in the signal line.

I am sure there are better units, but the options to mod the EAR down the line is appeling to me. Good sound off the bat, and a better/different sound after a year for change up.

Haven't spent a lot of time with it, but so far, Saxaphone Colossus, Lush Life, and Tonight at Noon paired with the ear have delivered.

Good luck

Congrats! Not in favor as it once was, in part because the trend continues toward the more and more analytical on the assumption that it means "better"; and trending away from the natural sound of music. Given your choice of music (great!) I think you will be very happy with the EAR.

Be sure to try real Telefunken 12ax7's all the way around, and keep in mind that it sounds better in MM; so, carefully weigh the potential benefits of a low output MC vs the advantage of the intrinsically better sound in MM fed by a somewhat "inferior" higher output cartridge. Enjoy!

Thanks for the advice Frogman!

I am researching the Telefunken but haven't found any NOS outside of ebay. Is there any place you recommend (not sure if you need to pm me).

I was wondering about the mc/mm debate. For crude comparison, I tried the 10x5 on mc (which is too high output for the ear), but it sounded worse than I anticipated. I think you are right, I'm sticking to hi output mc/mm on this one.

I'd call Keith Herron at Herron Audio and ask if he has any VTPH-1s still available. Maybe he has a few from trade-ins?