I started off with the Pro-Ject Tube box as well. It was pretty decent, especially considering its cost. Moved on to the iFi iPhono 2, and then a Parasound JC3 JR.
Each was a step up in SQ, but just a little bit each time.
Then I found the Gold Note PH-10. I bought one last year and it was a game changer. Stupidly, I sold it, thinking I could do better staying around the same price range. Boy how wrong I was.. A few other phono preamps in between, and lots of money not-so-well-spent..
.....I finally bought another PH-10 , but this time with the PSU, and it's even better than I remembered. Very flexible, and can accommodate just about any cartridge imaginable.
Unless your set on a tube phono pre, I would take a hard look!
YMMV
Rob
Each was a step up in SQ, but just a little bit each time.
Then I found the Gold Note PH-10. I bought one last year and it was a game changer. Stupidly, I sold it, thinking I could do better staying around the same price range. Boy how wrong I was.. A few other phono preamps in between, and lots of money not-so-well-spent..
.....I finally bought another PH-10 , but this time with the PSU, and it's even better than I remembered. Very flexible, and can accommodate just about any cartridge imaginable.
Unless your set on a tube phono pre, I would take a hard look!
YMMV
Rob