The best phono stage out there?


I have recently purchased a basis turntable and was wondering what analog lovers think is the very best phono stage they have heard . I currently use the Sutherland PhD and like it very much but have not really had an opportunity to audition other great phono stages. The cartridge I intend to use is the Dynavector XV-1S .
Thanking you for your opinions
ecka
I agree with Atmasphere's posts.
Some phono stages (mostly tubed and with no NFB) pass record noise as a "background" effect, barely noticeable, a very fast and clean transient that fades quickly, while others (mostly SS with lots of NFB) seem to emphasize and hang on too long to the noise, as if the phono amp circuit went into clipping or oscilation.

This is not a frequency response effect, it is about how the phono stage handles the noise spikes, which are very complex and steep signals.

Jonathan is correct that NFB is not bad by itself, it is a tool that must be used properly.
I have had in my system some excellent amplifiers with and without NFB.
In general, mild NFB improves signal to noise ratio, bass control and measurable distortion.
When properly designed, no NFB circuits (specially tubed ones) have great dynamics, aliveness and very clean midrange/treble, but are not the last word in bass control or S/N ratio.

Best is a VERY subjective word than can can only be stated within the context of someone's priorities, budget and limited experience. Regarding phono stages, the sheer number of possible interactions and adjustments makes it impossible to even attempt to rank phono stages.
A $2000 phono stage with good NOS tubes and proper loading/gain wil probably sound much better than a 10K phono stage with generic tubes and improper adjustments.

My best wine "moment" was a cheap Riolla spanish white wine, slightly chilled, accompanying a delicious Paella, though I have tasted several more expensive wines (not a wine expert anyway).

To end this rant and give you some kind of useful advice, I suggest looking up on Audiogon the price of used phono stages. Used prices are a good indication of a product's quality, reliability and desirability.
As far as I know, there are no "classic", highly sought-after SS phono stages. OTOH tubed phono stages tend to retain good value in the used market. Some even appreciate over time.

I hope this helps
I had the pleasure to hear the new K&K Audio Phono stage. WOW! It is truly amazing.
TW Acustic Phono stage is certainly a sweet, extended holographic phono stage.

- 60 odd db of pure tube gain, with no noise

- 3 inputs which is invaluable

- 6 loading options from the front panel

I use mine with dyna XV-1, Koetsu Rosewwod, denon 103r & Ortofon Jubilee
Ecka. Battery povered phono-stage.
BTW the question as stated is impossible to answer because
of the 'implication': comparition of,say,20+ phono-
stages.
My experience is in some sense 'onesided'. My first battery
phono was ASR 'Basis' with separate power suply and 4x12
Volt batterys in the 'main box'. I was very happy with this
phono for years (10?). But then come the 'Exclusive' with
very positive reviews from Pearson,Fremer and others.
So I bought the 'Exclusiev' 2 years ago. Those are very
havy'machines' and ,it seem to me, a kind of overkill:
400.000 uF (in the pow.sup) + 700.000 uF in the 'main box'.
But there is no question about: the exlusive is in another
leaque. My 'Eclusive' has 2 separat but 'identical' phonos
so I use 2 carts: Jubilee and Phase Tech P-3 G,both with
100 Ohm. There are many models of 'Exlusive',sinds +/-
2000 (in Germany known as 'HD'). They are all in my
opinion very good and very interesting as 'second hand'.
For +/- 2000 Euro one can get one in Germany. Alas the
weight is 35 kgr. and the Voltage is 240.
Cheers
Ecka Battery povered phono-stage.
I forget to mention that those are 'rechargeble' batterys
and that one can change them after 6-7 years self.
I also forget to mention that even Raul can't fulfill
the conditions implied by the implication.I.e. comparition
of 20+ phono-stages. Those are not carts.
Cheers