And I'm going to join Albert in recommending the Aesthetix Io Signature with dual power supplies. This is an incredible phono stage in all respects.
I listen primarily to acoustic music, and as I have noted previously, the Io Signature has a remarkable ability to reproduce accurately the subtle harmonic overtones that are so important to creating that credible illusion of live instruments; on minimally miked recordings, the Io can reproduce a soundstage that gives body and substance to performers and instruments in a real space; and it can reproduce huge dynamic contrasts with a quickness that can be startling, never running out of steam with the dual power supplies, while still capturing the subtle small changes in loudness and softness that are so important to that credible illusion referenced earlier.
My Io has the optional volume controls, separate line level input and I run it direct into my amplifiers without a line stage. Given my preference for vinyl playback, I find this an optimal setup with superb sound. Still running the stock tubes and still find the sound to be incredible. I have no doubt that matching the right NOS tubes can still improve the sound, as Albert attests.
