Just got back in the vinyl community

nice setup. that tube box s2 is real nice, and that exact is a good cart.

for recommendation, i cant say whats best for you, but u could do what i did.

imagine ur endgame cartridge(s). hunt for a table thatll run it/them real nice. for me, it was hana ML, thats as far as id go, so i got a p3.

i should have gotten the p6, buuuuut...it was just too much money at the time. buuuuut also, i dont need a foam plinth anyways. im okay with the MDF. of i need to increase performance and SQ there are so, so  many ways. 

the rest of my system is totally different, but i did audition that tube box s2, and man it was nice. it was the only one of three i was auditioning at the time (ifi zen, s2, rega fono) that was a noticeable improvement over the onboard phono in my marantz 2325/2275 (i forget which one). had friends and family over, and they all heard an improvement. so nice job on the s2. rumble filter is nice.

why is that s2 on backorder? you can get it in 1-2 days from amazon same price as 2 years ago.

Hi SFVolvo. I am in a position to offer you an excellent recommendation, given your limitation on budget.

This little phono stage is crazy good for the money, especially used. It won’t have the same insight vis a vis texture, inner detail, scale, staging and overall refinement of a great tube phono stage. However this little box is so enjoyable, and offers tremendous dynamics and excitement for the money. The Lehmann Black Cube SE made in Germany; . Buy used - a real bargain for around $400.

In response to cey question on back order, I was looking for the black finish to match the Audiolab amp. I could have gotten the silver one right the way if I have to get one quick. As 4afsanakhan suggestion, I understand Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE Phono Stage is a award-wining pre-amp. I prefer the tube phono pre-amp at that price range. Thanks again for your inputs

@sfvolvo As you have investigated a German Produced Phon' and have also made a reference to Valve being a preference.

I do not usually recommend, but due to having hands on experiences, will put forward a Phon' that might just tick 'all' (if not, many) of your Tick Boxes.

The Mr Nixie DIGNA is a Design that far surpasses its asking price as a performer.

As an individual, I really like it, and it took a purchase of a Phon' that was to retail at £5K to relegate it to my second Phon', the DIGNA is still used for about 30% of my vinyl usage, as it is still very well liked.

I have never heard Phon's in use, that have had a friends own design Head Amp used to create MC Input surpass the DIGNA set up to perform the same role.

When the Head Amp Design is attached to the DIGNA MM Input, the presentation goes of the scale.

Within my local HiFi Group, where up to Nine Members can be at a arranged meeting, for numerous months of a extended loan period, the DIGNA was the Phon' of choice and the reference Phon', used for all comparisons.

The Group did have the DIGNA , as a model which had undergone a slight modification to enable the usage of Vintage E88CC Tubes. The Phon' held it own in comparisons against Commercial Products being assessed and DIY Builds from Group Members or Loaned In for Demo' Models.

The Group are every so often intimating there should be another session dedicated to the DIGNA.

It is solely as a result of the above experiences, that I make the suggestion to investigate the said Model.

A search over time, which I have Carried out,  will show the Model I own is  periodically appear as used items, with a asking price of approx' euro 500.  

To me, the quality of the pressing and the condition of the vinyl is the most important thing for enjoying the music on them.  New records are a mixed bag.  On some, you can hear for yourself that they sound like a CD.  And old records that have not been cared for are hardly my cuppa.