I would strongly recommend considering a Heed Quasar. At $995 new it's
severly underpriced. I suspect when you hear it, the extra $300 over your
stated budget will not be an issue.
I recently compared the Quasar to a Pass Labs Xono ($2995), and while the
Xono is the better phono pre because of it's accuracy, transparency and
flexibility, I ultimately found it rather boring.
The Heed is a very close second in the cerebral qualities, but it is head and
shoulders above the Xono in the emotional qualities (at least it was in my
system).
The Heed gets my head bobbing and my toes tapping.
I purchased mine from Blackbird Audio Gallery, who offered a two week
home trial.
severly underpriced. I suspect when you hear it, the extra $300 over your
stated budget will not be an issue.
I recently compared the Quasar to a Pass Labs Xono ($2995), and while the
Xono is the better phono pre because of it's accuracy, transparency and
flexibility, I ultimately found it rather boring.
The Heed is a very close second in the cerebral qualities, but it is head and
shoulders above the Xono in the emotional qualities (at least it was in my
system).
The Heed gets my head bobbing and my toes tapping.
I purchased mine from Blackbird Audio Gallery, who offered a two week
home trial.