What is the best phono preamp you have heard?

Aesthetix IO Signature. I can't believe that I have not posted here yet? Until now, the one and only best phono stage I have heard is the IO Signature. I have heard the Pass Xono, the ASR Basis both mini and exlusive, the Einstein and the integrated on my Octave preamp. The IO was to me in another league coimpared to these others. I have no reason to look further nor do I desire to persue anything else to compare the IO too, I am completely off the audio rage of the day,,,,,,now I need to see how quad amping will sound like, yes, that is my next quest, 4 tube mono amps.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

i am a total newbie, and may be WAY behind the rest here, but does anyone have nay experience with the early (mid-to-late 70s) PS Audio Phono Pre amps? seems like many who have posted here are either old enough, or have been thru enough gear to possibly have tried these?

i have a PS Audio III and a matching Linear Control Unit up and running... probably late 70s maybe like 1978-79?

just asking, and trying to learn a bit. was perusing past threads on MC cartridges, amps and S/U transformers trying to pick up some info and happened upon this thread.

just for your information, i have mono Quicksilver M-80s, the PS Audio pre amps with Vandersteen 3s, also a Rega Planar3 TT, McIntosh MR 71 and Jolida JD100 CDP... all vintage, except the TT and CDP.

thanks
tom

I think so far -- IMHO -- it has to be a toss up between the Boulder 2008, Precision Fidelity C7/A Revised, and Counterpoint SA-5000.

The Nagra VPS.

I have yet to hear a best phono stage...I own/owned a few good ones: the Aesthetix-Eclipse and Signature both with 2 power supplies and NOS tubes, Lamm lp2 deluxe with Western Electric 417a tubes, Allnic, Manley Steelhead, VAC Renaissance, etc...because there is no single best. Obviously, system dependence plays a major role, but I am not sure one unit can be a "best".

You have to decide on what you are willing to spend, what features are important to you and compromises you are willing to live with and live with them.

If I could plug in one unit that simply is the best, my wish list would include-ultra low noise, huge variable gain, infinitely adjustable settings from a remote, neutral to the extreme, plenty of air and bloom, very low
distortion, and most importantly the ability to play more often than not music that makes me feel like I am at a live performance.

I have not heard one like this yet