Phono PreAmp with less than a 12" x 15" footprint

Blackbird is a HO MC, so you only need ~45db of gain. if you want absolute best MC phono stage with >60db of gain and still have a small foot print, Einstein is by far one of the best out there, by a big margin.

Lake513, could you tell me more about the cable and what it does better and where can you read about it?

Lukaschek PP1 T9 recommended here

I also use a Lukaschek PP1 T9 and like it very much and they come up used all the time on Audiogon for a good price . I also upgraded the cable from the wall wart to the T9 with a Ridge Street custom cable a very nice upgrade.

I second the Lukasceck PP-1. I have it and it looks amazing, unfortunately I have not hooked it up yet so cant comment on sound.

I had a Lukaschek PP-1. It was an earlier version. It was really smoooth. That thing was smaller than a pack of cigarettes. One of the design goals was to make the signal path as short as possible. The newer version is probably better than the original version that I had.

Artemis Labs Ph-1 is an awesome all tube phono stage giving you about 53db of gain or the Pl-1 which is the same but gives you step up transformers for low output moving coil cartridges. Great harmonics, dynamics, detail and a very well built with a small foot print but big sound.

allnic-1200

I remember the Paragons well.unique look and expensive for the time.You might do well to look into a 47 Lab Phono Cube and power supply.Not only are they small,they are terrific sounding as well.

 
Zyx Artisan Phono Stage, 6"W x 2 1/2"H x 7 1/2"D - excellent phono stage.
 

How much will your spouse let you spend? Will she/he have a color preference as well?

There are lots of very small and good phono preamps. It's the really pricey ones with double chassis that get big. How good/expensive are you looking for?

For example, the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II is 8.5"x6"x2" at $600 with a full complement of dip switches to adjust gain and loading.

The $1200 and $2800 Whest phono stages are also very small--around 6"x8" or even less for their ps20. The Graham Slees are small as well.

Dynavector 75 is very small and is an amazing bargain. ($750).

Having upgraded my spouse along the way, I can assure you that purchasing pretty much any phono pre on the planet is infinitely cheaper than a spouse transition!

YMMV : )

Some of the Whest phono stages would fit the bill.

Graham Slee Era Gold Reflex

Get rid of your spouse.

I think there are many that fit that spec - the Musical Fidelity and Lehmann units both do.

if you can use 13 x 13 look at Linn Linto a Stereophile Class A and very quiet phono stage.