Tubed phono stages need tubes selected for being especially quiet. Upscale Audio calls them platinum grade, others call them phono grade. Of course there's no guarantee that they will stay quiet throughout their lives. Another one of the joys of being an audiophile.
Doge 8 and Conrad Johnson ET-3
Has anyone heard both of these units at one time or another. How would you compare/contrast them, and describe their sound. From what I've read, it sounds as if the Doge would be more neutral and less warm than the CJ, with the CJ being a little more on the warm/lush side of things. I've heard the CJ and liked the warmth that I heard. Any truth to my thinking?