Ok Greg (got all your sentances). Thank u and I would agree with you ref the phono. I was hesitent to begin with, thus my question, so we'll sit tight. In your earlier your message you seemed to imply that you were using the H-1201 with the C1100 and that surprised me (a mismatch there) but the H-3000 has to be close to a perfect fit with the MAC pre-amp .... and the 275 for that matter. I don't have direct experience with KEF, although I certaily seen them around. Super gear nonetheless ..... am sure it's sonic bliss. As I said in my opening, I just acquired a Cary SLP-05 pre-amp but was also looking for a used MAC 2300 ... but I gotta say, the Cary performs several levels above the C-46 I had. Use any parameter you wish, and it was significanlty improved. Cary uses the 6SN7 tubes and while I am relatively new to tube amplification, my understanding is that these are overall exceptional (assuming you buy a descent mnfr). If this marriage is any indication, I very much like the tube pre/SS power amp connection. With these two, the sound is full, rich and with weight. I don't have invested the money you have, but for what I do have, I'm very pleased. I've got a pair of Gauder Akustik Cassiano speakers (German) with ceramic drivers ... good stuff and they are doing things with the Cary I never heard before ..... but my dream is to own a pair of Magico's one day - S7's would be nice. I digress - anyway, thanks again for the input.