Best Pre-Amp with Phono Stage

i agree w/many of the comments on this list, tho i also suggest trying the cary slp98, & the melos music director. electrocompaniet & pentagon also make excellent fono-stages that can be used w/line-stage preamps. (i'm sure there are others, but these are what *i've* heard) also, i bet ya *anything* your wadia wood sound better run thru either of these (or most *anything* already mentioned), than run straight into your amp.

The Atma Sphere is a good pre amp, as is the expensive Vac signature. The Cat in its many iterations is a great unit. However the best Ive heard is the 2box NYAL NCP11 which shows up once in a while on ag. The bottom octave is hard to find, as it is correctly in most analog systems. Try and listen to the Melos too. There have been few real improvements in preamps that are real consumer products in many years.

I own Atmasphere Ma 1s and sonic frontiers SFL1, and want to upgrade to a balanced pre. MP1 or sonic frontiers? any opinion on sticking with fully balanced Pre?

Hey do you know where I can get this pre-amp. I had one 10 years ago and like a fool I got rid of it for something newer, but not better.

BVaudio P1 is a definitelly candidate. XLRs INs and OUTs, tape OUT, SUB OUT, fully remote controlled, programmable function, digitally controlled, excellent value for the money. You won't find anything similar around this price.
Max