End Game Phono Preamp (tube)

I'm very happy with my Zesto Andros Allasso SUT.

It has 4 different gain ratios and 10 loading options all on the front of the unit. I picked mine up used for 1/2 the list. I'm running it into my Manley Steelhead and it's better than the Manley's MC input.

Doshi is another maker of a tube phono stage that can be used with MM and MC cartridges and has a reasonably high gain for low output MC cartridges (72 db).  Loading can be set very easily by remote control.  I heard it in a dealer setup that I was not very familiar with so I cannot say how it sounds.  

I frankly don't have an idea what is the best phono stage I've heard because I have not done any direct comparisons.  But, I've heard very good sound from a system that used the crazy expensive Audio Note M9 phono stage and their top of the line step up transformer.  The same dealer also uses Synthesis and Lector tube phono stages and those sound good too.  That same dealer sells Conrad Johnson, but I heard that company's phono stage in a completely different setting and the sound of that system was good too.  

Many of the tube phono setups that I like either require a separate step up transformer or employ a built in transformer (like my Viva Fono).  Some totally active phono stages that don't use a step up transformer can b a little bit noisy or require the buyer to hunt for extremely quiet tubes (like the Aesthetix phono stages).  

@gallen 

This is a really appealing idea - I love the loading options. Will search for this, this seems like a winner of a direction. 

you get the best MC sound quality with a properly matched and loaded SUT into a MM phono. theres no debate on that. 

@cey  Actually there is. Properly matching an SUT is beyond most audiophiles for starters since you need a square wave generator and an oscilloscope to do it properly. 

But SUTs have limited bandwidth- they rob the bottom end of impact and cause phase shift in the highs, which the ear perceives as a coloration. Their primary advantage is low noise with a LOMC cartridge, but even with tubes you can get low noise with them as well. A second advantage is they can receive the balanced signal from the cartridge (which is a balanced source) and neatly convert to single-ended. But there are phono preamps that have balanced inputs as well. I prefer the additional transparency of no transformers. Its pretty easy to hear. 

so ease of switching loading/gain is preferred (soldering resistors is a no go! So are dip switches located inside the unit

 @fastricky If the designer of the phono section went to school and thus understands what happens when you put an inductor (cartridge) in parallel with a capacitance (tone arm interconnect cable) then you don't have to worry about 'cartridge loading' at all since that is done for the benefit of the phono section and does not affect the output of the cartridge at all. So its plug and play. An additional side benefit it less ticks and pops which can be generated by the phono section when the input circuit overloads from the RFI generated when you put the inductance and capacitance in parallel. 

So if you're looking for 'end game', seek a phono section that does not need 'cartridge loading' setup. 

I have been listening to my Thoress Preamp with its phono stage inside, also available as a standalone phono stage. Not cheap but probably the best phono stage I’ve heard up to $25k-$30k. It’s remarkably musical and engaging. Details and free from anything that takes you out of the music in an emotional way. I have to say it just makes music. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a tube preamp or tube phono stage. I think the tube phono stage is around $12k USD ($16k Can$), They do come up used from time to time the. Unique looks in an historic industrial way but very nice.

Just a note, extra inputs usually only mean adding a selector switch and a few wires not that much more cost. Maybe a few loading resistors but not overly more money to add more inputs. So, I would not get hung up on that.