best phono stage under 10k

Dear @analogluvr  @millercarbon : Herron is a good unit nothing more. The OP is looking for top league where Herron just can't play.

It does not compares against FM Acoustics, Grail VDH or other ones out there that are in a way different league.

R.

None of us are getting out alive. I have 1961 and 1965 tube gear that OEM does not support and there are excellent techs available to keep it running.
i have a Herron on order, it’s not my only Phono preamp. Keith has been an absolute joy to work with including shipping a front panel to my custom faceplate manufacturing guy. IS it SOTA ? Probably not but is it a heavyweight value? We shall see !
have fun, enjoy the music !

My first choice would be a Luxman EQ-500.  Second would be the Herron.  But there are so many others I have never heard or probably even heard of!

What phono stage have you got
@lewm  is right when he says SS is no less susceptible than valves.
@atmasphere gives the best advice unsurprisingly.

Have you gone truly fully balanced - that normally deals with the RFI issues that you have.

Have you gone truly fully balanced - that normally deals with the RFI issues that you have.

Just to be clear, RFI has more to do with errant rectification than it does single-ended or balanced. The only exception is if the rectified RFI is common to both phases- then it is rejected.