Phono preamp evolution

I'll bite. When I was 10 or 12, my parents got for my sister and me a set of bookshelf speakers (think they were KEFs) and an all-in-one set-up (you know, receiver with turntable embedded in the top), can't remember who is was made by but the phono stage was in there...

Then within a year we upgraded to "separates" (separate receiver and TT) where the phono stage was a Yamaha receiver (CR-240 if I remember correctly). TT was a Dual, 1225 if I remember correctly. Cheap Ortofon MM cart - couldn't remember if I tried.

Then I got a larger NAD receiver when I went off to college to go with the cheap Yamaha CD player, more expensive Nakamichi cassette deck, and yet another Dual (either a 1228 or 1229?). Same story on the cart though it may have cost me somewhere in the range of $50-70 (mid '80s dollars).

Fast forward 20 years or so and I have just plunged back into vinyl. Phono stage is a ZYX Artisan and I am pleased as punch with it.

I have for the past year or so been trying a few other phono pres and head amps and SUTs (all vintage Japanese units). I have been impressed with some of the low impedance SUTs, and a couple of the head amps. One head amp in particular has shocked me as to how good it is, so much so that I bought a second for parts. I had heretofore never thought about writing a review and I may, so I will leave it nameless until I do decide. However, my eyes continue to be opened...