High gain hybrid circuit ss/tube MC phono stage

Art Audio Vinyl Reference fits your bill as well.

Take a look at ModWright SWP 9.0SE. I have both the Herron and ModWright, both are excellent.

An EAR 834P would work and is very upgradeable. Perhaps you should consider if you want transformers or active gain in the pre-pre stage. An ancient debate.

Hi Reb 1208. Wondering what your reservation is with the tubes in the Herron? I'm in the same boat your are all tube based system with ss phono and the K&K and Herron are at the top of my list due to value for performance.

I have used the K&K for some years. It is a tube /Jfet hybrid with Lundahl step ups. It is ultra quiet and has 3 MC gain levels, changed by resoldering the connectuions to the transformer. I use 63db gain. I think the highest is 68db, the companies site will tell you. I have heard nothing to match it at the price and I have heard a few,

More info:

Currently I'm running a moded tube linestage(no intention on changing) and a ss phono stage. I've recently moded a "tube" cd player with superb results. Now my ss phono stage leaves me wanting more and I'm leaning towards the stand alone hybrid design.

How about the Manley Steelhead? It sounds exactly like what you want. Quiet, yet high gain, and very musical. Of course being a reference grade phono stage, it is a bit pricey @ $7,300, (at least that was the price the last time I checked).

The K&K Audio SE is a hybrid design. Offers a variety of gain options.

Vacuumstate makes a full function pre that uses a solid state MC state and MM phono stage with 6922 tubes. Excellent user comments on that one. This would be my candidate for a new phono/line pre. Hopefully I will get to hear one soon.