Dear Doug: +++++ " If these were your only choices, which would you choose and why?
" +++++
My experience and common sense tell me:....., Come on !!!!
+++++ " I have a very good idea how much more phono stage performance is available..... " " To date, no solid state device of any kind that we've heard has been satisfying ... " +++++
I think that you have to hear the phonopreamps from FM Acoustics, Boulder or CTC . When you do it then you really " have a very good idea .. ", not before. You can't imagine that performance level. Nothing come close.
+++++ " You are especially bothered by frequency response variations. " +++++
Yes and No. No because I'm bothered about the music quality reproduction and that means ( between other issues ): accuracy.
Yes, because the music generator/perception are variations on the frecuency response.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.