Best cost no object tube phono

Thomas Mayer (vinylsavor.com) has 3 models single ended tube LCR (10K, 14k and 23K euros full silver) and 2 models fully differential LCR (28K and 75K euros full silver) phono preamplifier.  Each are custom build to order.  All his LCR transformers are Lundahl and Lundahl silver.  I heard the his entry level once while I was in France quite some time ago, and could not compare it to anything then.

Btw, I named my personal unit Essential 3180 because it has at least two important upgrades from the 3160. All those customers are satisfied with.

And you know what: unfortunatelly you will never have the experience to listen/own the 3180. You can't even imagine those quality high levels. Such is life.

This is a textbook example of trolling. 'No-one can get what I got and its the best'... Sheesh.


I see people that run junk shops do exactly this sort of thing.

@inna- the real step forward wouldn’t be the amps on the bass it would be to use horn loaded bass. And for that Avantgarde charges a couple Porsches-- not the cheap ones, either.
That’s why, if and when, I may look elsewhere-- I don’t have room for the Trio in my room anyway. Maybe the Everest. But, then I have to bi-amp and that raises another host of issues in terms of amps. David Karmeli has done it using the older M2 JBL and stacks of ML2s. The Lamm amp isn’t crazy money used. But, I’m not there yet. I do like Avantgarde it’s jut that the prices Euro to dollar as Jim Smith has said, don’t make it easy. I think he quit distributing the line, so he said, b/c he couldn’t do it and lower the price sufficiently to make it attractive. The Duo Mezzo is over 65K. For that kind of money, I’d want more even though I can get an accommodation. We’ll see. I’m not in need yet. Just anticipating that’s the next thing I’ll need to change as the system ages....

@lewm side question, which 12at7 you are using on your mp-1 the stock? Have you tried the 12at7-z by any chance?

Have you heard the Everest ? Must be very powerful engaging sound with the right amps. "Stacks of ML-2's"...How would Lamm compare to that ?
But, this thread is mostly about super phono stages. What about this ? Would it make sense to go even higher in Allnic line or perhaps in some other brand ?