best phono preamps?

Clavil,

Given the point made by Downunder, are you seeking a phono preamp for your current cartridge or one that will get the very best out of any cartridge that you might ever own or buy? I mean here not only any MC but also any MM cartridges!

Also, I think a good point that's already been indirectly raised is about price and what you get for it. There are phono stages that offer more than those listed above and there are therefore obviously phono stages that cost more. So I suppose it would help if you could say what you want to be able to do with the phono preamp and how much you are willing and able to pay for this. If I were to choose above the options already presented I would go for the Essential 3160, which has both MC and MM phone stages and an equally state-of-the-art line stage all in one package supported by an independent power supply. Then again, I did buy it:~) If you can afford it, I believe you can find no better.

Downunder,

I'm not certain what Raul and Jose charge now as I've had mine for quite some time. Also I do know that they were talking about a remote control option but felt this was a major challenge as introducing the necessary components could have some minor impact on the perfection that the 3160 was designed to deliver. So although they were considering ways around this, I'm not certain if it is now available. For me, there's a joy in adjusting the volume manually and I really could use the exercise (well, 1.5 yards across my listening room);~) I think it would be worthwhile asking Raul about these developments directly.

Now that I have had the 3160 for a long time I am more certain of my opinion. I have changed so many bits of equipment and the truth is that the Essential keeps asking for more. On the cartridge front, I have the Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold, the Dynavector XV1s, Spectral MCR, Nagaoka MP-50, Music Maker 3, as well as various Empire and other old cartridges and everyone of them is clearly distinguishable and never challenges the ability of the Essential to portray all that they offer. It's the same on the various speakers, tuners, CDP's and tape decks that have passed through my system. So I guess I'm honestly lost to tell you of its weaknesses. Maybe some pieces of equipment will be able to test it but nothing that I know of, at least nothing that is currently available. I really do think that this phonolinepreamp is 'THE' state-of-the-art.

Having said all that, you do need to have an independent ground, remove all earth wires from all plugs and float your system through the Essential. I am proudly non-technical but I managed to do this myself. It just needed a length of decent earth wire and a six foot copper tube that you drive into the ground outside with the wire attached. Then lead the cable through a purpose drilled hole into your listening room and link this independent ground to the back of the Essential. The rest is: sit back and enjoy.

Topoxforddoc,

Also coming from England and knowing Graham, I think the Tron is one of the interesting options in its price range and for the tube based designs. It will really come back to what Clavil wants his preamp to do and how much he can afford I suppose.

Downunder,

I see your point but I think that such small differences really do count. Obviously, to hear the differences between records initself suggests the importance of the phonolinestage: especially when you reflect on the minute mechanical impulses that are being translated from the cartridge.

Mothra,

I think you raise an interesting point, which leads back to our differing listening priorities and critical questions of fidelity. With my phonolinepreamp you do not hear it as such. Similarly with my integrated satelites and subs. What you hear is the musicians in all their varying degrees of glory. An obvious comparison would be the infamous Proac Response 2.5, Audio Research VT100; Audio Research SP25MKII combination. A beautiful sound but heavily coloured. I lived with and loved this system once but have progressed in many ways towards losing the obvious presence of my hardware. The Essential 3160 marks the pinnacle of that progression but is comparible to the improvements I achieved moving from valves to the EAR 324 phonostage some time back. It takes all sorts!