In the past ten years, I have been a user of an MM Phonostage design as a Valve Input / Valve Output > SUT (own two SUT's). On occasion, the SUT's are replaced with a few designs of a Head Amp. In the same time period, I have used a Phon', ' that is a MC/MM Valve Hybrid Design that has been used as an MC Input compared to the MM Input > SUT's and Head Amp.
Very recently, I have returned to using a Solid State MC/MM Phonostage, which has been experienced as an MC Input and a MM Input > SUT's.
I can't offer guidance on how these compare to other Brands of Phonostages referenced as being of interest or models being suggested.
I can say the Full Valve and Valve Hybrid Phonostages have been extensively compared to Phonostages where the purchase cost was ascending up to £10K and I was not left with the notion they were bettered, recollection is that the owned Phon's were very good competitors and not bettered.
The Full Valve and Hybrid Phonostages are being compared to the new SS Phonostage, and again, neither is the absolute betterment, but each does have something to offer where the end sound produced is very much wanted to be lived with.
Sharing about the impression the end sound makes on an individual is not describable in writing or words. It must be the individual being exposed to the end sound that is the information that allows them to describe the impression made and to accurately evaluate the impact on them.
All Phonostages owned are the result of many years of expressing an unusual interest in Phonostages and having achieved many demonstrations of different designs of Phon's. This has been an enabler for my being confident in knowing what I want to be wed to and discovering the designs that fit. Which, in use, are extremely satisfactory for my purposes.
I strongly suggest allocating some of the up to $2K budget being referred to for supporting making arrangements to experience Phon's of interest in use. Demonstrations are such a worthwhile experience to have. A TT and Phon' of interest should not prove too difficult to arrange a demo of, especially as a potential $3K spend from a customer.
Additionally, being what seems to be a good, solid customer in the eyes of a sales rep might create a purchase price offer to you that proves difficult to turn down.
