Stand out phono stages

Sirspeedy,

I have the Zanden 1200 phonostage and yes , like Roy Gregory says it is one of the great phono stages I have owned. The manual has table to set appropriate RIAA curve selection for many labels. You can clearly listen the sound snap in place(tonally- Thin and excessively body becomes natural respectively)when a right curve is chosen. Like all the other Zanden components, this one is no exception: it performs at whole another unthinkable level.

Nil,
Have you ever compared the Zanden phono and linestages to the Aesthetix Io and Callisto in your system?

Exlibris, No I have not.
Although at one time Aesthetix Io was on my short list for potential phonostage prior to my ownership of Vendetta and the Zanden 1200.

Just to throw a curveball into this discussion, how about the top-of-the-line Soundsmith's Strain Gauge Phono Cartridge and Preamplifier System?

$12k(SG-610) and only works with one cartridge (their own), but who cares if the performance is superb.

Anyone have experience?

The reason I ask is because the Zanden pair and the Aesthetix pair are on my current shortlist. Of the four pieces in question I have only heard the Callisto in my system. From that and from what I've read, I am merely making assumptions about the Io.
As for the Zanden, I am going by how good their DAC sounds and by what I've read.
Since: the Callisto is the best linestage that I've heard so far within my system;
I can get the Aesthetix gear at an attractive price;
and I am not likely to hear either of the Zanden pieces in my system;
I'm probably going to end up with the Aesthetix.