@mglik,Last fall I was in the same position. Had tried over 10 phono stages (bought and sold, so was able to live with them for a few months) in the 2K to 8K range. Some were better than others, and some were no better than what I was using at the time (hot rodded Manley chinook).
So finally took the plunge. All I can say it there are several out there in that price range. Make sure you get one that has really beefy dual mono transformers.
I have never heard the dynamics and impact like I have now, inner detail and imaging have improved. There is an ease to the sound I have never heard from an LP before. I also have quite a collection of 15 ips half track tapes. have to say LP playback got much closer to tape than I would have envisioned.
so would say if you can work out an extended trial period, def do so.
And like you I was pretty sure the purchase was not going to be worth the money, and I would hear little or no difference between a five figure phono stage and what I had been using. found out I was wrong in the first 10 seconds of use.
hope this helps.
So finally took the plunge. All I can say it there are several out there in that price range. Make sure you get one that has really beefy dual mono transformers.
I have never heard the dynamics and impact like I have now, inner detail and imaging have improved. There is an ease to the sound I have never heard from an LP before. I also have quite a collection of 15 ips half track tapes. have to say LP playback got much closer to tape than I would have envisioned.
so would say if you can work out an extended trial period, def do so.
And like you I was pretty sure the purchase was not going to be worth the money, and I would hear little or no difference between a five figure phono stage and what I had been using. found out I was wrong in the first 10 seconds of use.
hope this helps.