Researching Preamps

+1 on the Van Alstine Vision phono pre.  Very flexible in terms of loading and gain as well.

Van Alstine Vision SS  phono pre is very nice , Outstanding dynamics !






























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rogerabbit-  I'm glad you mentioned that. As much as I love tubes, I've recently discovered that I like SS phono stages better. Especially in my price range. The Musical Surroundings Phenomena2 offers much better bass slam and focus than both the built in phono stages of the UV-1 and QS. Plus you get all the settings for different carts 

well if you have tube amps you don't need a tube phono as well, especially if your funds are limited
On the low price end SS is a better buy

I had the Quicksilver Full Function pre for a few years paired with Quicksilver monos. I enjoyed it and it was a big step up from the vintage pre it replaced.Pretty good phono stage. Should be able to find one in the 1k range. I recently got an Atma Shere UV-1 that I like much better in my system. Sold the Quickie pre locally but kept thr monos

In my studied opinion, the combination of a Herron VTPH-2 and a Herron VTSP-3a(r03) is in a league by itself. The combo is around $10k but the units can be purchased separately. There will be a big increase in performance with the addition of either. I firmly believe adding both will provide the best level of performance available for digital and analog (especially vinyl) without regard to cost. I have not heard better any any price.

So do your research. Compare, listen. Don’t trust my comments or any others. Choose what you think works best for you. I did and chose the Herron components.

Keep the QS and add a good phono preamp. If you must have a preamp with a phono section then check out Rogue Audio ,all of their preamps include phono.

I picked up a Parasound JC3+ and am really happy with the sound.  I am using Constellation amp and line-stage.  I wanted a good quality phono preamp and was looking at Constellation.   While researching the history of the design I discovered that John Curl designed the Constellation phono stage.  He also designed the JC3+.  I am not saying the Parasound is necessarily as good as the Constellation pre, however, based on the cost delta I am very pleased with the sound and flexibility of the unit.  So far, very natural sound and it plays well with my other components.

Vac

A  McIntosh C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier should be a good match with your Mac monoblocks.

I have a couple of thoughts for you. Quicksilver makes a phono preamp and made a preamp with a phono stage (which occasionally show up for sale used) and you might consider those options if you like your current Quicksilver.

The Shindo preamps mentioned in this thread are great, but do not always play well with other brands, due to their high gain among other things. You should talk to a dealer or the importer to make sure the Shindo will work in your system.

Do you need a mc capable phono stage?

Look at the Shindo Auriges with phono stage. Great preamp. Super quite
Alan