Stand out phono stages

I have to agree with Pedrillo, when it comes to speakers there are the MBL 101Es and then there is everything else. I haven't found this to be the case with any other component, however; just speakers.

If I'm understanding you correctly, the amps and the linestage were different in all three demos?

If this was the case, I wouldn't be able to say anything meaningful about the contribution of any of the phonostages.

Jtimothya,
You mention the Atma-Sphere MP-1 and the Aesthetix IO.
Have you had a chance to compare the two in your system?

Piedpiper,
I guess it all depends on what each of us is looking for.
I've never heard a full-range box speaker that didn't sound like I was listening to a stereo. To me, some sound like incredibly fantastic stereos and some sound like bad stereos but they all sound like stereos.
That said, the 101Es are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I think we all end up picking the flaws that we can live with.
Sorry to have derailed this phono stage thread with speaker talk. I'm more interested in hearing about the Io and other stand out phono stages than in talking about MBLs anyway.

There has been no mention of Tron, Klyne, and Wavac either.

Sirspeedy,
What are some of the strengths of the Zanden in comparison to other top phonostages, other than the fact that you can select various equalization curves?

Nil,
Have you ever compared the Zanden phono and linestages to the Aesthetix Io and Callisto in your system?

The reason I ask is because the Zanden pair and the Aesthetix pair are on my current shortlist. Of the four pieces in question I have only heard the Callisto in my system. From that and from what I've read, I am merely making assumptions about the Io.
As for the Zanden, I am going by how good their DAC sounds and by what I've read.
Since: the Callisto is the best linestage that I've heard so far within my system;
I can get the Aesthetix gear at an attractive price;
and I am not likely to hear either of the Zanden pieces in my system;
I'm probably going to end up with the Aesthetix.

I'd like a little more harmonic richness than what the CAT products offer.

Anyone familiar with the phono section of the Kondo Audio note Japan M77 and their external step-up transformer?

Kondo Audio Note Japan M7 phonostage?
Anyone?
Bueller?

Busypk,
I haven't heard it myself, I was just looking for comments from those who had. You've obviously heard it; was it in a system with which you were familiar?

Kondo Audio Note Japan M-7
Kondo Audio Note Japan M-1000 mkII