Phonostage

Aesthetix Rhea or Octave Phono in that price range. Either one of these will satisfy the requirements to drive the Benz LPS.

Ciao,

Audioquest4life

Klyne

I've owned a Sutherland 20/20 for close to 3 months now and use a Benz Micro Wood SL which is about 3 or 4 levels lower than the LPS you own in the Benz Micro line. I run my Wood SL (0.4 output) at 52db, very adequate in my system, and the Sutherland 20/20 has greater gain setting of both 58db and 64db. The 20/20 sounds awesome in all areas with my Benz Micro Wood and can be bought new for $2,200...no need to spend more. There are multiple reviews of the 20/20 on line if you are not able to audition it live, which was where I was at. I agree with the Brian D. review in Stereophile in that it is an "absolutely superb sonic performer" phone stage and quit flexible. I bought mine sound unheard and sight unseen and am overjoyed with its excellent performance & build quality. With your LPS it should be even better and save you close to $3K from your listed budget ceiling if that matters. Good Luck!

I use a Benz Wood SL with a Herron VTPH-2 using 12ax7 tubes with 69db of gain. Beautiful sounding phono stage.

Thanks Chuck

Another option would be the TRON Seven phono stage.Bespoke tube phono stage from London in the UK. You can contact the manufacturer, Graham Tricker, who will build you a bespoke stage to suit your cartridge. Jeff at Highwater Sound NYC is the Us distributor.