Phono stage--please help

Try and find an Audio Research PH 3 hybrid phono preamp. This puppy will bring the ANALOG out of your records with aplomb! I am using one and am very pleased with the resultant musical bliss that it can produce. This unit can later be upgraded to SE status by ARC to bring it much closer to the multi-kilobuck ARC Reference phono preamp. You should be able to snatch one of these babies for around $1000-$1200 on the net.

You won't be sorry!

Considering your system is solid-state, I would heartily agree with either the AR PH3 or the EAR. These would give your system a boost of warmth and three-dimensionality. Haven't heard the EAR nor the upgraded PH3, but the original PH3 is a great-sounding and VERY flexible phono stage. Also, it's a bit off-topic, but I would advise investigating the Origin Live updates available to the LP-12, as the sound characteristics you describe may not be just the phono stage. I won't drone on here, so contact me directly if'n you're interested in knowing more (or go to www.originlive.com). Enjoy!

If you have balanced inputs on your preamp, the BAT phono stages are very good...you can get a vkp5 for around 1000-1200...

thanks, everyone, for all your thoughts and ideas. These discussion groups are really useful, since I don't anyone but dealers to discuss such issues with, and their vision is limited to what they sell.

I add in my big recommendation for the ph-3 too! Especially the part about it bringing out the ANALOG in your records. I heard my ph-3 head to head against several solid state and tube phono stages. My favorite because of the combination of warmth and smoothness that it gives records. My next favorite is actually very inexpensive - the lehman black cube. FYI I know someone who is selling a used black cube for 475 if you are looking. Send me an email and I'll put you in touch.