Hello, I am not an expert, but I can tell you what I have, and how it performs.
i have an audio research amp and preamp, both tube. For the phono stage, I have a Whest PS .30R, a solid state unit which is priced in the same range as the one you mentioned.
i have to say, my analog front end has amazing qualities compared to my digital, and my digital is no slouch!
the analog is a Lyra Delos cartridge, a JA Michell Tecnodec, and the Whest phono stage; the digital is a PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC mkII.
the result is the analog has more life and presence, better details, and better stage, but not by a huge margin. The PS Audio DAC is pretty darned good.
In my non expert opinion, the analog system I have works wonders. And the phono stage I had before the Whest was an Audio Research tube model!
hope that helps in some way. Good luck!
i have an audio research amp and preamp, both tube. For the phono stage, I have a Whest PS .30R, a solid state unit which is priced in the same range as the one you mentioned.
i have to say, my analog front end has amazing qualities compared to my digital, and my digital is no slouch!
the analog is a Lyra Delos cartridge, a JA Michell Tecnodec, and the Whest phono stage; the digital is a PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC mkII.
the result is the analog has more life and presence, better details, and better stage, but not by a huge margin. The PS Audio DAC is pretty darned good.
In my non expert opinion, the analog system I have works wonders. And the phono stage I had before the Whest was an Audio Research tube model!
hope that helps in some way. Good luck!