Phono Stage Recommendation $3000

Go for a Herron Audio VTPH-2A.  I have heard nothing better at any price, nothing equaling it anywhere near it's price. 

BTW, NOTHING MATTERS except what a specific phono stage sounds like.  All Raul's pontification and lack of engineering credibility don't hold water.  The only thing that does is performance.  Tubes have shown many times to be superior to solid state.  IMO, the Herron Audio Phono Stage, particularly the VTPH-2A, are consistently among the very best available at any cost.  Period.  I know of no phono stage, tube or solid state, that betters the VTPH-2a and few, if any, that equal its PERFORMANCE.  It's how it sounds that counts.  PERIOD.  END OF REPORT.  END OF REVIEW.  NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. 

Raul -

A couple of quick questions for clarification of your extremely articulate and insightful comment....

Are transistors actually more linear than tubes?  Please cite your specific evidence.

When did you actually hear a Herron Audio Phono Stage and what equipment was associated with that listening session?  What equipment did you use for comparison? 

rotaryphone - I think you're being extremely generous and gracious.  But I think you're on the right track with Homer.

I guess you could call Keith Herron.  That's how I got mine.  Phone number should be somewhere on his website.