Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2

Thanks for everyone's contribution to this thread.  I'm finding the discussion rather informative.  

It appears that most on this forum seem to advocate for a SS type phono stage, as opposed to a tube type phono stage.  I'm not certain of my preference at this point.  
While some point out that an excellent sound system should reproduce music, regardless of the type of music played through the system, I'm not convinced of that either, as the musical instruments in classical music behave entirely differently than the modern synthesized music, which has little complexity, and no harmonics to the instruments by comparison.  

@rauliruegas : what type of music do you listen to in your system and what type of live music do you listen to?  
Thanks. 

Hello drbond,

Another suggestion for your consideration would be the Wavestream Kinetics Deluxe Reference Level 5.1.

It is an all tube design currently using (2 x 12AX7, 4 x 6DJ8); with extremely low noise ( I believe with the external power supply, noise is below 1uV (one-millionth of a volt ) competing with the best of the solid state phonos; providing 3 front panel selectable inputs providing 62 dB of gain (without the use of SUT’s or FETS) with a useful cartridge range of 0.2mV to 1mV. Having both Balanced and RCA inputs and outputs; adjustable loading available on the back panel via custom loading plugs; and an essentially flat RIAA EQ curve within one tenth of a dB (.1dB) from 3 Hz to 40 Khz.

Naturally, with any tubed phono high gain phono stage you will want to use selected low noise tubes, but I can say when using my NOS Mullards in this phono stage, it is dead quiet with my ears up against the speakers with my Dunlavy Signature SCIV's 91 dB sensitivity.

I love not having to use a step up transformer with this phono stage; not having to worry about the SUT coloring the audio signal, worrying about possible hum issues, and having to use extra interconnects and connections, etc.  

The Wavestream Kinetics gives me the pure, high gain, low noise sound that I love. It is incredibly dynamic in both the micro and macro sense, has the "meat on the bones" which many crave, brings the human voice to life, showcases the resonance of the body of cellos and acoustic bass, has the finesse for brushes on cymbals, etc. The music sounds pure and organic.  It is not syrupy or tubby or loose in the bass.  It truly is an incredible phono stage built by Scott Frankland who offers incredible customer service and support, which is the icing on the cake.

Best wishes,
Don

For around $15k you might want to look into the Whest audio TITAN Pro 3-stage phono stage. Whest audio only does phono stages and does them very well.

@alucard19 

Thanks for your recommendation, but the Whest audio only has one input:  i would need two.  

A major reason I originally chose the Manley Steelhead for the second of my two audio systems is that I wanted at least two sets of phono inputs, one for MM, and of course the Steelhead provides 3.  Plus I wanted a "full function" preamplifier, so as to avoid the need to purchase a separate linestage and the associated ICs.  I don't know how far back you go in this hobby, but there was a time when all "preamplifiers" or nearly all included both phono and line level on one chassis.  I don't know whether or not you have used the linestage section of the Steelhead in lieu of your Ypsilon linestage (I assume the Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2 SE is a linestage), but if you have tried it and found it lacking, I think I know why.  Manley used second rate capacitors as output coupling capacitors in the Steelhead, which in my opinion sets the unit back a bit soundwise.  Easy to fix. It also affects the phono output.