Phono Stage

+1 @audphile1  heard one maybe 6 months back and it had tube rush that was obvious to us.

Yeah and the Rhea also has 10 tubes. Re-tubing it will put you out of $700-$1000 easily. It may be worth it if you’re looking for tube sound that solid state gear just can’t give you. But on a flip side after some time with tubes you might say to yourself man I should have gone with a solid state unit. Grass is always greener on the other side until it isn’t. 

I’d love to have a tube phono but my Whest is so quiet, so precise and accurate that I know I will miss it. Itching to try tubes though…

Interesting discussion on gain vs volume. I keep thinking what is the difference, less gain, more volume… more gain, less volume, with the same DB level at the speakers & no clipping. Should be the same logically. 
AI had an IMO helpful analogy where you look at it like a camera lens. The closer you are, within reason (gain), the clearer the picture. The further you are from your subject (less gain), can be made up by zooming in (volume), but that creates grain. 

The recommended gain is the ‘sweet spot’… within reason. That sweet spot may be cartridge specific, but also should be system dependent. @audphile1 Very helpful information… again. 

@signaforce you got it. It’s absolutely critical that your phono stage can amplify that really low signal and not add noise and distortion. I’ve read comments such as gain is gain, just adjust volume on the preamp. Not true in my experience. Having flexibility is key to fine tuning the sound.

I absolutely hate the break in process with cartridges though. Need lots of patience which is a virtue I am not built with. Lol

Having flexibility is key to fine tuning the sound.

Couldn't agree more!