I, too, have recently been looking for a very good linestage. I have not heard most of the top candidates in my own system or systems that I have some familiarity. I have heard a top level Kondo and the Audionote (uk) M-8 and M-10. These are all terrific. But, I REQUIRE remote control of at least volume and I do have some space limitations. These eliminated the Kondo and Audionote models (actually, price eliminated them as well).
I auditioned an Epifania in my own system. It was a prototype that had remote control of volume, balance and mute. It did NOT have the latest refinement, which is teflon caps, but I was assured by the designer that the teflon caps could be removed, and the price reduced, if I did not like the result. I have decided to purchase the Epifania. It has so much more of that "breath of life" that makes listening a much more intimate experience. It is hard to explain the sensation -- one has to experience it. By the way, the new on-line magazine -- Tone-Audio (www.tone.ws) -- has a recent review of the Epifania. I read the review after placing my order for the Epifania; I think it is quite accurate.
I auditioned an Epifania in my own system. It was a prototype that had remote control of volume, balance and mute. It did NOT have the latest refinement, which is teflon caps, but I was assured by the designer that the teflon caps could be removed, and the price reduced, if I did not like the result. I have decided to purchase the Epifania. It has so much more of that "breath of life" that makes listening a much more intimate experience. It is hard to explain the sensation -- one has to experience it. By the way, the new on-line magazine -- Tone-Audio (www.tone.ws) -- has a recent review of the Epifania. I read the review after placing my order for the Epifania; I think it is quite accurate.