Upgrade from Pass Labs XP15 Phono

Interesting thread. Have a similar rig with a Naia Aphelion2/SS Zephyr. I have looked at the Aric as well, but it has no adjustable settings, as far as I can see. For my taste, the Zephyr requires rather higher impedance around 1KOhm, while the Aphelion 2 is best at 100 Ohm. Both are MC and Aric recommends a switchable SUT. Zesto has a SUT with more levels of adjustments, which make quite a difference in my rig.

Sorry, don't have any recommendations, looking around myself. Plan on going to Vienna next year for some further inspiration. Zesto, Sutherland, and Rega have been on my list as well, but I am taking Pass off [have an XA25]. Currently have an EAT eglo petite, but not going to full eglo as EAT does not respond to customers inquiries at all.

Find some recent reviews of the pass labs preamps and phono preamps. I’ve not seen a single review that didn’t rave. Many reviewers end up buying the preamp for their system. 

Accuphase and Luxman make good phono preamps - not sure how they compare to Pass.

@dishman442 I agree, not sure what specifically is deficient about a Pass Preamp. 

@laaudionut I did reach out to Aric, thank you.

Thank you for all your input on my phono pre research. I am currently auditioning Lab12 Melto2, Grimm Audio PW1 and Rega Aura. by the way, Mark at Fidelis Music Systems is a great guy, and has really nice equipment at his store in Nashua NH. He also has tons of used records, great place. 

The Lab 12 Melto2 Tube phono pre sounded great with my system, edging out my existing Pass Labs XP15. The Lab 12 had better separation, and was very detailed. I was wondering if the Melto2 would add any noise running with the Decware Sarah 300b, but it was dead quire. Tonight the Grimm PW1