Stand out phono stages

I can second Swampwalker's opinion that ZYX Artisan is very good. I have not compared it in the same system with all the great ones noted above, but I have heard some of them in systems I greatly respect and enjoy, and have no desire to 'upgrade' to one of those other megabuck phono stages. I think the Artisan swings above its weight (both figuratively and literally - the thing weighs almost nothing). I have also used it in mono and compared it against the Zanden mono stage reasonably extensively (got an offer I could not refuse on the Zanden). The ZYX is smooth and silky and does not sound 'solid-state-y' to my ears, but the Zanden does have a bit more lushness (euphonia).

Among those above which I have heard, if they were all the same price, the one I would choose would be the Connoisseur. I have heard one twice, and each time was wonderful. I also like the line stage.

Pedrillo,

I believe the very best phono stages are indeed very expensive but then again, they do possess state of the art components and design technology. FM Acoustic does a very good phonostage called the FM 222. However, the best I have ever heard (and which I own now) is the bespoke Essential 3160. It is not cheap, but you get a MC, MM and a line stage in the same unit. Apart from the flexibility that this allows, it is simply miles ahead of alternatives in design logic and execution.

A lot will depend on your own audial priorities, however, if you want live events brought into your listening space: the Essential 3160 is simply the best. It will change your expectations of hifi. Very, very, highly recommended.

The Essential is an exceptional phono/line stage. One of the best we've heard. But to say it's "simply the best" is an overstatement, since it could not match our Nick Doshi Alaap.

If the Essential 3150 we demoed had outplayed our Alaap Mk I we'd have bought one. But it didn't, so we didn't. ;-)

The Essential is now the 3160, apparently improved in areas where it fell short of the Alaap. The Alaap is now the Mk II, improved in areas where it couldn't quite match the Essential.

That these preamps easily outplay competitors costing several times as much is indeed expectation-busting. That the designers continue to find ways to improve them is even more amazing. Like yours, our preamp search is over, probably forever.

This may be premature, but I just got the K & K assembled, and it is incredible right off the bat. I can't believe how good it is!! I should probably have waited and done more listening but this is really floating my boat.

I just came back from a demo of three superb phono stages,in a system consisting of three different mfgrs electronics.All running the JM Labs Nova Utopia Be speakers,in a huge room,with all Nordost Odin cabling.Imposing,and very expensive!!All digital comparisons were either the top DCS or in the case of Zanden's demo,the Zanden CD system.
I've heard this speaker,many times,and in the same room,aplenty,and I really like them.....Just some opinions...
Firstly,the price of "anything" not made in the USA is getting absurd!Of course the US dollar is big time "low",but someone with good experience can do well,financially,with local mfgrs.For the first time(for me) I can truly see why many folks look to the Far East mfgrs,in an effort to save money.This HUGE price chasm seems to be more than economy(or performance)to be honest(only my opinion).Highly polished chrome,and solid aluminum chasis(even in "some" areas not always needed,for sonics)add big time to price.
OK,my point....if you have a really good system,and have spent much time tweaking/modding/voicing it,be "thrilled",because the very exotic/expensive stuff does not be too far ahead of "well thought out" alternatives,like many experienced guys "here" have mentioned they own.
To the superb demo....First up VAC's 150 wpc stereo amp,with the NEW preamp with built in phonostage,we started out with the DCS and though it was OK(46,000 dollar digital front end)I simply cannot see the big difference between something like a 9,000 dollar Audio Research CD player(CD-7)and "these" mega buck two box units.Maybe I'm losing some hearing.
Swithching to vinyl,made the DCS stuff(to me,and only an opinion)sound "flat,lifeless,and thin".Sorry!....THIS using a top Brinkman Table(gorgeous table and arm,btw)with "only" a Lyra Helikon.Not close,to "me"!More realistic warmth,depth yadda,yadda,yadda.The VAC built in phonostage is absolutely superb,and Kevin Hayes stated it was NOT close to being broken in.Damn good,to me.Loved it!
Next up ZANDEN(all Zanden,incl CD system,the two boxer).CD play was warmer(in a good way)than the DCS.Still knowing what vinyl was about to do,I could NOT get excited,and I DO own a fine CD player,for music unavailable on LP.
We moved to LP,and heard the difference when the RIAA feature was used(on that phono stage),using a good Decca LP.It was not bad before,and I'm not going to run out and buy it,but there was definitely better stage,and depth,with more "thereness" utilizing the RIAA feature on that Phono Stage.The thig that I LOVED about the Zanden phono stage was an uncanny sense of tonal beauty(not coloration,Imo)in female vocals.The Cantate Domino LP really was amazingly "real".Of course the Zanden is about 25 to 30 grand(just for phono stage),but wonderful....BTW,the VAC,with a price of 18,500 dollars(linestage included)really held up well,and seemed a superb design,BUT the Zanden is everything my friends have told me it was.Fabulous!
BTW,the Zanden amps were only 60 wpc,but did the BIG speakers(in a big room) justice.
Finally,HP's latest rave...The HUGE VTL mono amps(800wpc),with the Full Monty of VTL stuff,incl seperate Phonostage,but back to the DCS demoing digital first,which sounded slightly cold compared to the Zanden CD player.BIG bass though(with those 800 wpc)and some guys loved "that" bass sound.
Then VTL phono stage,and I am sorry to say the two previous sets of electronics were more convincing to me.The VTL amps seemed to be voiced to give real JOLT,and I think the speaker,which is really quite efficient,did not need this magnitude of power.It just sounded OK,to me(I don't think the "tube" topology in the VTL stuff was to my tastes).....Whereas the VAC and Zanden demo BOTH had me "thinking real",with my eyes closed,especially on the Cantate Domino LP.STUNNING!!

Yet,and Yet...I really have to give credit to my various friends' systems,who have spent years voicing/toying/modding,and just being good/experienced hobbyists.The actual difference(I know this was a dealer demo,and a very well-done one,but I know the speaker well,and it WAS being driven superbly)between "this" 350-400 thousand dollar set-up,and the "mere" around high five figure(really high) set-ups of my pals was "not" all that big.Definitely "gorgeous" and wonderful stuff,but the moral of my experience was/is...if you have a good system,and have been at it for a while be VERY happy!You are most likely within "so what" distance from the dream stuff.
Best.