Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

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: 

Have you considered the Icon PS2 MM pre? It has PTP wiring. And has a whomping 46 dB of gain. And it will not break the bank. $1295 on Music Direct. It uses three 12AX7s. Two for the gain stage and one for the driver stage. It uses passive RIAA. I use it in combination with a SUT. I prefer SUTs over active head amp design. The Manley Chinook uses JFETs for the MC boost. I owned a Chinook. And I prefer the SUT/Icon PS2 combination.

@jjflash6 Hi, what SUT do you use?

@patrickalston I'll take a look at the BAT, thnx. I considered a Vincent but read a few negative reviews that had me concerned. I have a Vincent Amp and that works great though.

I have been very happy with the sound form an EAR Phonobox designed by Tim de Paravicini. I have the basic model that is MM only and I use it with their MC4 SUT that has the advantage of multiple inputs to support many different phono cartridges.  For the cost I think it sounds very good.  I purchased them from a reputable dealer who sells those products at a very reasonable discount. If you're interested PM me and I can tell you the name of the dealer. 

I own a Luxman Eq-500. It consists of 4 -12AX7's and 2 -12AU7's.  Very solid and well made product. Has MC and MM settings , Vu meters with balanced outputs and able to accommodate 3 turntables. It is discontinued because Luxman has released a solid state Phono stage. You may be able to find a used unit out there. I have had mine for 5 years and have had the pleasure to do some tube rolling just for audio  geeks sake...lol.