I have owned both the Sonic Frontiers you mention and the CJ pre with phono that Sugarbrie mentions. The Sonic Frontiers was an improvement over the CJ but my current Plinius is better than either. The short answer, I think, is there is never a "best" and no absolute statement that separates are better than good integrateds but there are many more very good phono pre amps as separates than integrateds to choose from. Happy hunting and from what I hear the Aestetix would be an excellent choise.
Seperate phono better than pre?
Are most stand alone phono stages better than ones intergrated into a preamp. I really like my Sonic Frontiers SFP-1sig. but am leaning towards and upgrade possibly in the direction of a Rhea or the full Janus preamp. Would either be an upgrade or would my stand alone be better than the phono in the Aesthetix Janus?
Opinions are greatly appreciated.
I should add that the Ayre phono is on my list as is the newer Sonic Frontiers phono1
Opinions are greatly appreciated.
I should add that the Ayre phono is on my list as is the newer Sonic Frontiers phono1