Best head amp of the market ?

I prefer, of course, the Piccolo. Graham Slee also makes one.

jh

Klyne used to make one was it the SK 2A?? If you can find, the Classe NIL is an excellent sounding unit too. That's if you want to go active. There are also lots of good sounding Step up transformers if you don't mind the passive route.

FYI, Hagtech's Piccolo is his own make and although I haven't tried it I would guess it is his usual excellent value, sold direct only. In his own words, he prefers step up transformers to active stages despite his own product. Raul here is adamant about the evils of SUTs. different strokes.

BTW, I forgot to mention above that there are at least two standards for measuring output of cartridges that can confuse your calculations by about 30%. The operative is voltage@5cm/sec or 3.54cm/sec.

Can't beat the Hagtech Piccolo for the price. It is superb.

The ZYX Artisan is, I think a complete phono stage (gain plus RIAA equalization). They do have a pre-pre or headamp (which I own) called a CCP-1 or something like that. It is quite good with my ZYX cart feeding the MM phono input of my VAC Ren Mk2 pre.