Best Phono Stage

Just to update a bit. A long while back, I did build Pete Millett phono pre that is designed with an LR RIAA equalizing stage. Basically, as far as sound is concerned, I have high regards for it. There is a hum problem that I caused along the way, and troubleshooting is not fun at all. I just want to play records. FWIW, when I replaced the IC chips with upgrades, the hum increased. 

 To repeat myself, I should have laid down more serious cash in the first place rather than cause myself incredible hassle building 2 kits, and buying 2 phono pres. Lessoned learned? Nah, I will do it again in some fashion not too far from now.

The return to vinyl has been uphill for me. The hardest part was me wasting money on one average phono preamp after another! If I had my priorities straight, I would have saved time and money. Going for quality that I didn't think that I could afford was proven wrong by spending for 4 preamps and counting!

 I leave with this thought>> try before you buy is the best advice that I could give.

ghdprentice,

Cost aside, matching has become more important to me than I thought possible. To begin with, I have made other poor choices, such as going from a perfectly good Project Xpression II to a Schiit SOL TT. I am sure that the SOL has more potential than I am getting from it but will require set tools that I normally wouldn't consider. The Project TT was friendly with more phono stages that the SOL in my experience, but that didn't stop me from trading. 

 So in reference to this topic, I want to add that al analog decisions have been important. If you happen onto a phono stage that works for your setup and taste, stop there. It is my opinion now that I should have started with a phono stage that was more adaptable. 

  I want to add one last piece of observation. Two of the phono stages that I have tried were very good quality kits. In one case, I actually loved the sound, but can't seem to get rid of a bit of hum. In the other case, the phono stage is incredible sounding, but not in the bass. I suspect that this is some kind of mis-match? Really don't know, and am tired of the chase after a more than a year of effort.