I think it depends very much on combinations. I do not think that, with many years and spending a lot of unnecessary money (of course, within my own financial means) pursuing the so call "best single" component per se, makes me realize that there is one such component exists but eventually to presume that the whole concept is just simply a business ball game. It is strictly a system dependence. You can have the so called "best Phono" but to a larger extent you have to consider the cartridge/s to go along with it. I feel that there isn't any single best PHONO STAGE to cater for different cartridge/arm/turntable/preamp combinations. If so, we will at least not to receive reviews on components. Even reviewers have to admit that their reference system has to be changed from time to time. More so, with careful notice, it is the combination of the whole system that got to be changed from time to time let alone the speakers. You can't simply find any reviewer to just to stick one best component and allow the rest of the system to evolve. So, I would advise that, with these forums, try to find out the musically satisfied combination of components from others and of which, it fits nicely within your financial capability.
