The best phono stage with volume controls I know of is the Aesthetix IO w/volume control. It is expensive, but very good. And it has all the gain you'll ever need for going direct to the amp with just about any cartridge.
Help trying to return to vinyl
After many years in the digital realm, I came across a Michell Gyro TT I couldn't pass up (always did love vinyl) but I'm finding it more difficult than I anticipated to "re-tool" my system to accomodate this beauty (beast?).
I'm looking to set up a "vinyl only" system along side my digital so I was looking for a phono stage (preferably with MC gain or I will add a step up) and a line state to go direct into my amp. I don't need a preamp with CD, tuner etc. - just a HIGH QUALITY volume control and some gain. Is there such a thing as this? The closest I have seen is the EAR 834P with volume control but I'd like a little better quality than this. Of course there are plenty of separate phono stages out there one can put in front of a preamp but why should I buy a preamp with all the connections etc for CD, tuner, aux1 etc. when I'm not going to use that?
any ideas?
I'm looking to set up a "vinyl only" system along side my digital so I was looking for a phono stage (preferably with MC gain or I will add a step up) and a line state to go direct into my amp. I don't need a preamp with CD, tuner etc. - just a HIGH QUALITY volume control and some gain. Is there such a thing as this? The closest I have seen is the EAR 834P with volume control but I'd like a little better quality than this. Of course there are plenty of separate phono stages out there one can put in front of a preamp but why should I buy a preamp with all the connections etc for CD, tuner, aux1 etc. when I'm not going to use that?
any ideas?