Phono Amp Recommendations

I have had a Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE (the version with the much larger power supply) and can recommend it without hesitation -- particularly at its price range. You can buy a used standard Black Cube for around $400, and send it to Leo Massi at HyendAudio and get it upgraded for $275 -- an upgrade that I found to be worth every cent. IMO, the larger power supply transformed a good phono stage amp into an excellent one.

I did not get the power supply upgrade for my Black Cube and would certainly defer to sdcampbell's experience in this matter with regard to improved performance. However, the Cube I used sounded terrific in its original configuration. If you DO get a Black Cube without the upgrade, I would suggest a careful listen before spending the extra. The person to whom I sold the Cube (here on the "Gon) was well pleased, as well. Of course, this depends on your budget and other equipment "in the chain".

I did some online research after all the recommendations for the Lehmann Black Cube. Seems to be a very popular choice in the under $1000 club and a very safe choice for me. Thanks for all the quick feedback.

I've got far more reasonable choice(s) than Black Cube.
1. You can get Monolithic demo for $359...399. It doesn't have as large gain as Black Cube but it definitely more resolving and wormer sounding unit. Better imaging as well. It's suitable to the cartridges upto .8mV or lower depending on further preamplification.

2. Check out Trichord Dino phono that is more expencive and have a superb performance for its price. If you order directly from UK you'll save arround 20%.

3. EAR834p(not neccessarily have to be the signature model with chrome face plate)

IMHO listening to these three above broght me to an idea that Black Cube is standing a level bellow.

I certainly did not mean to imply that the Cube was "end all". However, I have also listened to the Monolithic and the EAR, but NOT the Trichord. IMHO, the Cube beats the Monolithic by a healthy marign - I actually found the imaging to be much better than the with the Monolithic and did not notice the Monolithic to be all that much "warmer". Plus, the Cube may be one of the most flexible units around in terms of different cartridge outputs. I agree, though, that the Monolithic IS cheaper. I, too, liked the EAR and found it a bit better than the Cube, but at a higher price (even direct from the UK). Of course, all this applies only to how the three performed in MY system. Others may find different results.