Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

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. 

"I'll take a look at the BAT"

BAT VK-P5

Balanced Audio Technology Phono Pre-amp VK-P5 For Sale - US Audio Mart

This model has long been discontinued. What you would be getting however, is a solid tube phonostage.