My first "real" (stand alone) phono stage was the ARC PH3SE bought in I think 1992 or 3. Back then I was big on home audition. Refused to buy anything not first heard at home. Did not want to spend big money so started with stuff like the Lehman Black Cube. Which was pretty good for what it cost, but nowhere near the level I was looking for.
There were at least a dozen auditioned at home but the only ones that stand out in my mind were the Black Cube, 834P and a Linn. The 834P was quite good if a little dark. Remember this was 92. I have no idea what subsequent iterations are like. Almost kept it, but decided to keep on looking. The Linn, I forget the model but it was solid state, and sounded solid state.
The standout of the time, at least for me and for under $3k, was, is, and always will be the ARC PH3SE. I tried pretty much everything else! The ARC was good enough to keep me happy all through the 90's and right up until it was replaced with a Herron VTPH2A just about 2 years ago.
Phono stages don't change a lot. 07 to 13 is a pretty small slice of time. Probably those same two, PH3 and 834 or their subsequent versions, would still be the standouts, at least in the same under $3k level.
There were at least a dozen auditioned at home but the only ones that stand out in my mind were the Black Cube, 834P and a Linn. The 834P was quite good if a little dark. Remember this was 92. I have no idea what subsequent iterations are like. Almost kept it, but decided to keep on looking. The Linn, I forget the model but it was solid state, and sounded solid state.
The standout of the time, at least for me and for under $3k, was, is, and always will be the ARC PH3SE. I tried pretty much everything else! The ARC was good enough to keep me happy all through the 90's and right up until it was replaced with a Herron VTPH2A just about 2 years ago.
Phono stages don't change a lot. 07 to 13 is a pretty small slice of time. Probably those same two, PH3 and 834 or their subsequent versions, would still be the standouts, at least in the same under $3k level.