there's a piece by Steve Deckert on www.decware.com on phono listening that's interesting. He says a tube phono section may be crucial in retaining the illusion of live music coming from a system.
Of course, he is soon coming out with a tubed phono section so he is not exactly unbiased (who is unbiased?)
Tubes generally produce more noise; it takes an expensive design to have high gain and low noise.
I would try something like the EAR phono preamp, which is reasonably priced, or Deckert's (if it's out.... and he always offers an evaluation period)
Of course, he is soon coming out with a tubed phono section so he is not exactly unbiased (who is unbiased?)
Tubes generally produce more noise; it takes an expensive design to have high gain and low noise.
I would try something like the EAR phono preamp, which is reasonably priced, or Deckert's (if it's out.... and he always offers an evaluation period)