best phono preamps?

The best phono preamps are integrated phono/line level preamps. I've always been partial to ARC phono preamps. Try to get a listen with either a SP-8, SP-10 or SP-15. They are great for phono but not always a favorite with line level sources (digital). Could almost use 2 preamps- depending on source.

Many years ago I had the priviledge of attending the CES in Chicago- not to see all the latest gadgets, although the Sony HDTV demo was very impressive (the year was 1989). The scene was at the hotel across the street- Hifi audio equipment demonstrations set-up in hotel rooms on 3-4 floors. Music floated down the halls. All of the variations of equipment and sounds were overwhelming after a while. I wish I would have had a chance to go back with a notebook. The contrasts were remarkable- some rooms with set-ups that looked impressive sounded so-so while some rooms with modest looking (but not cheap) set-ups were so incredibly musical. That toe-tapping, involved in the music sound is what I have sought ever since.

Frankly, integrated phono preamps sound best to me for records but older ones seem to color CD's as line level preamps. A no compromise system might require two seperate preamps for analog and digital. Maybe I just never heard the right combinations, but seperate phono preamps had the right sound technically, highs/lows/openess/detail, but just were sterile and uninspiring.

I lack the prose of some to describe how music sounds in a particular system. But I can say that when the system is right, my toes just start tapping.