Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

@jay73 

look into a Sun valley Audio SV-EQ1616D 

I heard a demo in a show, and it allows the user flexibility in tuning the users Phono cartridge to the phono preamp. Certain Stereophile reviewer have this model as their reference phono pre-amps. I know that in discussion, it was offered as a "kit" but Victor Chung of vkmusic can have this built for you at a reasonable cost. 

its available at vkmusic.ca

at higher price points, I will suggest the Chinook or the Zesto spirit. but look first at the Sun valley Phono pre-amps.

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations so far!

I am looking through them all.

I did have another question since we are on the topic of Phono Preamps and I did not want to create a whole new thrread.

At the moment, I have a Sim Audio Moon 110lp v2 phono preamp.

Another thing that  I have been thinking about is perhaps adding a LPS to it, like a Sbooster or Ifi Power Elite.

Any thoughts on that?

If there are any improvements, do you think it would be worth it?

Thanks

Sorry I have a Pro-Ject tube phono amp and I luv the sound.

Have the Hagerman. Great phono pre. My only suggestion is to upgrade the power supply before you spend a bunch of money on better tubes. The PS makes a WAY bigger difference in the sound.

You have a Vincent Amp.  Consider the Vincent PHO-500 for around $500.  From what I’ve read, it gets good reviews and is quiet. Here are it’s primary features: 

• A fully isolated external power supply for dramatically lower noise
• MM/MC compatibility with proper loading options
• A 24/96 USB recording interface (unique in this price class)
• A heavier, better‑shielded chassis

Noise floor becomes the defining factor under $2,000—especially with low‑output MC cartridges. Designs with external power supplies (Vincent PHO‑500) or fully separated MM/MC circuits tend to outperform more “feature‑packed” units because they avoid injecting noise into the gain stages.

There was also a PHO-8 (discontinued) which got good reviews from Stereophile that perhaps can be found used.  (I actually own a PHO-8, but have never used it.  So, I can’t comment beyond what I’ve read.)  

Otherwise, if you can find a BAT VK-P5 which can be had used under $2k and would move your phono stage game into another universe.  Here’re some of its features:

• • Fully differential, dual‑mono tube phono stage
  • Eight triodes in a high‑voltage, zero‑feedback topology
  • Massive power supply with choke regulation
  • Designed for low‑output MC cartridges
  • True high‑end architecture: large transformers, film caps, discrete regulation, point‑to‑point wiring in critical paths

. . .and it could be upgraded to improve its already excellent performance.  

Here’s the AI comparison against the BAT VK-P5: