High Value Phono Stages

^ interesting 🤔 

The Proteus would play well with the Sutherland Dos Locos, low output, low impedance.  The OG Kiseki Blackheart's impedance is probably too high and it depends on which Benz Glider you have.  The Dos Locos supports two inputs; there is no switch it just amplifies whichever cartridge is playing.  It might be worth calling Ron Sutherland to see if he has an opinion regarding the compatibility of the Kiseki; if it would work you would be astonished by the sound.

The Dos Locos is truly amazing, with my cartridge (Koetsu RSP) its performance matches the reviews, precision, musicality and spatial resolution are second to none.

Previously I had the Sutherland Duo, which is a very fine performer, and there is a Sutherland above that.  The Duo's sound is precise, musical and resolving, though falling short of the sui generis Dos Locos.

Also, gear from countries that have nationalized healthcare (Hegel is Norwegian) can provide better value because the companies don't have to include the cost of private-insurance healthcare for their workers in the prices of their products like US companies do.  Private-insurance healthcare tends to be far more costly than nationalized healthcare.

@drmuso  You sure Hegel's "better value" isn't because Hegel is manufactured in China? 

Designing, engineering, product development, R&D and headquarters in Norway where they have 'nationalized insurance'.

Assembled in China where they have 'Your Fault' insurance.

The best phono stages I have heard are the John Curl Vendetta but they are very hard to find - no one who has one (myself included) ever sells them. His Parasound Halo JC 3 is also excellent.  I have listened to a Herron in my system and you would be happy with that. I also use an on board unit in a Classe DR7 preamp but those are quite rare.   My third system uses a Conrad Johnson Premier 15 which is far from shabby too.