Richardmr, the Art Audio are fine units, but the Aesthetix Io Signature and the Manley Steelhead are among a small number of the very best phono stages made. At the level of these units, the sonic difference will be clearly noticeable. As to the cost/value ratio, that is always a challenge for anyone else to judge. Over the years, I've often found that I could judge that only by actually hearing it for myself, and I've had many instance when, once heard, there was no going back.
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