@neonknight I have also been in relation to Phonostages Wed to both SS and Valve Circuits over the years.
I am a firm believer a Phon' in relation to the electrical Interface needed to replay a Vinyl Album, has the potential to make a huge impression on how a replay is perceived.
After hearing multiples and rejecting the End Sound produced by most heard, (being very familiar with the produced End Sound, with the outcome being maintaining the type of End Sound is no longer desirable), I made inroads to own Phon's that did have the capability to make a very good impression.
Today a owned Phon' is a Bespoke Built Valve Input/Output, Tube Rolled and used with both SUT and Head Amp's - - A Valve Hybrid, Tube Rolled and used with I built MC Stage, SUT and Head Amp.
Soon to be in use SS Design with MC Input Stage, yet to be proved if value is to be found by adding a SUT or Head Amp to the MM Input?
A recent discussion had, with another following their past few years research into MC Cartridges, has now made it known that if a certain Third Party Cartridge Service is willing to assist, an extremely attractive cart' rebuild can be achieved for very reasonable monies, if the Donor Cart' is discovered with not too much cost attached. I would happily contribute to assist with costs to make this happen.
As for Valve Amp's both Valve, SS and Auto former, along with Power Amp built in Balance Control have been used over the years to function as the Pre Amp.
Power Amp's have been religiously kept as Valve for over 30 years, with Three designs using different Input / Output Valve being used.
In recent years SS Power Amp's have been heard that have been very very impressive. Both the Commercial Branded and offered as DIY builds are experienced in use. Amp's especially of interest, are DIY designs that have been heard A/B compared to commercially Branded Models with costs close to £50K. At the current time I am going through trialling loaned SS Power Amp's in my home System that have made a very very good impression during comparisons.
In the words of Sinatra (Speakers, I've had a few), of which the ESL design has been the 'go to' design for near 30 years. Cabinet designs are always at hand and used at the current time to offer a change to how a End Sound is structured and presented.
It now seems that from expanding my experiences had of listening to Cabinet Speaker Designs other known Adio enthusiasts have adopted. I am now with a discovery made and committed to, that is to replace the ESL's from their 'go to' Speaker Status. Not an easy decision, but the confidence is that, the System is to take a furthering of the Journey, to achieve arriving at one more Plateau, on the climb, to being at the Piste of Audio Quality.
I struggle to get off the Bus, when it comes to expanding the Audio experience to be had in the home system. End Sound is not limited to being Monogamous. Polygamous is the End Sound able to be worked with.