Phono Stage upgrade to complement Dohmann Helix One Mk 2

What strikes me about "Channel D" and their many products is that they need a PR guy.  First, the name of the product line (Channel D) is non-descript if not misleading (because it makes one think of Class D amplifiers, which are not exactly a la mode with high end audiophiles). Second, the naming of the different phono stages of ascending value makes no coherent sense.  And on top of that, reading the blurbs on their website to understand their design philosophy, I don't get a clear picture.  It's too bad, because their products might be great and might suffer for lack of proper promotion.

Dear @pani  : Mi advise to the OP was and is for the 223 that has 62db on gain and even can go higher if the customer needs and ask to FMA for it.

@mijostyn , you like the numbers and the FMA 223 beats the noise levl of the Channel L20 with its incredible: -137 dBu at full output ! !

At the FMA quality levels it has no single problem to compete and even could outperforms current mode units.

Anyway the 223 is only an OP option good enough as other posted alternatives.

R.

Dear @drbond  : It's useless and even could be futile that you spend thousands of big dollars for a top phono stage as many of the named in the thread only for that excellent quality level coming from the phono stage been destroyed/ruined by your Ypsilon preamp truly poor quality levels against any of the phono stages named here.

If you are not willing to change youfr preamp then you have not worried really wich Phono stage is better because at the end what you will listen be the terrible Ypsilon and all those wires transformers that degrade the signal but it's not only that but its terrble frequency bandwindt and several other critical issues.

Then which your point or the other gentlemans ones?

My point is that you need at least the same quality levels/design in the line preamp than in the phono stage. Same for your amps where I gave you the advise to go for the JC1+ monoblocks that makes a in heaven mate with the Soundlabs.

R.

@rauliruegas 

While I appreciate your recommendations, I will have to admit that such dramatic and extreme comments such as you have mentioned about the Ypsilon products make me question the validity of some of your perspectives.  I've never heard music any better than with the Ypsilon amplifier and pre-amplifier.  Even with my "lowly" Manley Steelhead connected to they Ypsilons, the performers sound like they're in my room, so I'm looking forward to hearing how much improvement there is with an upgraded phono stage.  

Perhaps you're correct that another amplifier, like a DartZeel, would perform better than the Ypsilon, perhaps not; perhaps they just render slightly different presentations.  I highly doubt the JC1+ would produce anything close to what I currently hear.  

Regardless, please just stick with discussion about phono stages on this thread. 
Thanks. 

@drbond 

funny you say that about @rauliruegas  - i always find my discussions with him to be very productive. It might just be he is not a fan of Ypsilon - I've never them. Please remember we all have our own natural prejudices - me I am not a fan of KSL/Kondo - Zanden and Dartzeel - all well loved brands and I'm sure to many ears are mana from heaven - I find them either mushy or too coloured. 

Many a reviewer has very specific loves/prejudices - Martin Colloms loves Naim and Linn - Roy Gregory anything stocked by Audiofreaks (he had to answer letters about this in hi fi plus) - Michael Fremer (anything new and stupendously expensive)