I have the Lounge Gold phono preamp, but I do not have experience with both. I I can say that, to me, the Lounge Gold is simply astounding. I am using it with my Thorens TD 126 MkII TT (I am the original owner and recently had it refurbed) and an Audio Technica VM540ML cartridge. Playing through my Rogue RP-7 preamp, my monobloc Odyssey Kismet amps, and my Fyne F702 speakers, the SQ is astounding … markedly better (more natural or “organic”) than even “Master” CDs played through my NAD C568 used as a transport and Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC, although the Schiit DAC resulted in a radical improvement in SQ over the NAD as a player using the internal DAC. While both LPs and CDs sound great, placing the performers in our listening room, the LPs, especially the Sheffield discs and some 45 rpm LPs I have, just sound more “real,” so I will be expanding my LP collection.
Those recommending an AR phono stage are on very solid ground, but there is a rather substantial price difference between their units and the Lounge units, even the Gold upgrade I have. Happy listening.