Help search for a phono stage that fits my system

I seem to gather you like tubes, and perhaps would like a tube driven phono stage as well, but do notice you have chosen the DNA-500 for your Amp, and I'm sure this puppy delivers some fantastic sound, and takes control of your speakers with vice-like authority!

No doubt an absolute killer amp-speaker combination!
Over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed some who seem to have noise problems with tube driven phono stages, and also commonly note the tube rush sound typical of most tube phono stages.

I'm sure many of these offer sound beyond compare, especially units like the BAT VK-10. If tube rolling, or tube rush doesn't inherently bother you, or you think will be a problem, then shoot the works, but I myself have just bought a very wonderful unit, and that Unit is the Sutherland PhD.

Stereophile rates this unit as Class A, yet goes on to say that it isn't the last word in phono pre-amplification, yet one thing all seem to quickly acknowledge, is absolute dead quiet. Not a peep from this puppy to hear. RFI appears to be a non-issue with this unit, and EMI won't ever be a problem, as the Unit operates from 16 D-Cell Batteries, and doesn't require chargers-whatnot. It automatically turns on, and turns off, had a myriad of loading, and gain settings, and custom boards-additional boards can be gotten from the distributor if the supplied boards can't accomodate an odd cartridge.

There's reviews online of this unit at acoustic sounds website, and my buddy Thomas M Back own one, and gives a comment on the site. He's using a Clearaudio Master Reference Table, with top of the line Clearaudio Arm, with Lyra Titan Cart on board, and of all the different phono stages he's tried, this has been the quietest, and the best performing of all.

I'm enjoying CD-like Dynamics, and dead silence with mine, and it was a very worthy, purchase. Mark

Hi all again,
While I've never heard the Aesthetix Rhea, it was initially on my short list of phono stages to purchase.
I'm sure when one has a good compliment of sound quiet tubes, this unit no doubt is awesome.

Tubes though can get very expensive nowadays I've found. I'm sort of thankful I didn't go the tube route. I just can't see paying $150-$175-$200 for a decent matched pair of Sylvania 5751's, Mullard 12AX7A's, etc.
Other tubes while noted to he very good like Telefunkens can be a real crap shoot. I've heard of counterfeits, bum tubes, and the like.

While I won't knock anyone who loves tubes, they can become a hassle, interfering with your musical enjoyment. If one has to constantly monkey with something as simple as a phono stage, you might find the medium more a hassle than its worth, and now recieve less enjoyment, than more due to noise, and decent tubes issue.

Sort of like buying a white elephant 20" Telescope to see the heavens. Sure, it can offer wonderful views. but if it's a nightmare to put into operation, it won't get used. (or used as often as it should)

In that case, you'll be reaching for your CD collection more often than not. Ultimately the choice must be yours to make. Mark