Stand out phono stages


This topic has been started before by others and myself as well, maybe too many times, but it is worth revisiting since the source is so very important!
So far I have had the pleasure to enjoy two worthy phono stages: the EAR 834p and the JLTI.
I have to admit they are spectacular. Obviously the record and all the equipment downstream play a role in the sound heard. In some cases I prefer the JLTI and in other cases the EAR. But neither out do the other dramatically.
What phono preamps outshine others by a big margin, those that can be considered the last phono preamp ever needed.
pedrillo
Pedrillo, thanks for the thread and the compilation of phono stages. Did you seperate the categories above based on price alone?
Mainiac,
Yes the groups were formed based on price.
There are a couple in the less expensive group that may belong in the top notch group though.
I notice that Zanden, ASR and Boulder were mentioned twice. Is that a clue that they're better? ;-)
Piedpiper,
Regarding the doubles strictly a typo.
Would like to hear from goners who had the pleasure of owning some of these great phono stages, what were the phono stages that stayed and which were let go. And associated gear?