Stand out phono stages

I did a load of tests about 6 years ago and gave it to the Whest 0.2 in my system.
That said, I loved a custom made phono stage by Paul Hynes - who unfortunately no longer makes them anymore- shame - coz it was the nicest sounding phono stage of the lot.
For sheer unfatiguing musicality, believe it or not, the EAR 834P is very good indeed.
I tried a Klimo VIV and found it to be lacking both grip and drive.
Many will disagree, but in my system I was spectacularly disappointed with 'the groove' by tom evans. I am told that his latest phono stage is very good, but if it is more of the same of 'the groove' then I'm not sure if I would like it. I will say, howevver, that the best reviews for the Groove have come from valve based hifi amplifier systems, so my transistor Lavardin IT may not be the best match.
If money were no object I would try out the Whest reference (hence I won't audition it!).

Have you bought your ultimate phono stage, or are you still looking? I only ask this because there comes a time when you simply have to commit and buy. I heard the top of the range all KSL system where the speakers were wired with either KSL or Audio note cable - I recall that it had had rave reviews by Roy Gregory on HiFi plus - whose opinion was very relieable for about the first 4 - 5 years of the magazine. I absolutely hated the whole system - very syrupy sweet and soft. Likewise I heard the full Zanden sytem powering some Avalon Speakers (which I have heard in other systems) and again soft and lacking drive IMHO. At the other end of the spectrum there is the original Tom Evans Groove that I tested in my system a number of years ago, and I absolutely hated it. I spoke to Martin Collums once and he told me that this search for the single ultimate is difficult becassue we are sensitive to different aspects of sound - some are timing sensitive (like me) so infinite baffle speakers/electrostats for me -others are frequency sensitive so supertweeters for them...
As this is a forum you will and have received several opinions that are all valid, and help provide good suggestions.
For my part I was very impressed with the Whest Reference, whilst I do not dislike valves, with the exception of VTL's they always have a certain sound that adds a golden sheen to the sound which I find not to reflect real live sound.
I am told that the all time greatest solid state phono stage is the 'air dialectric' mares - which became the Connoisseur and is regrettably no longer manufactured - rare as hens teeth, but snap one up they are offered for sale - you won't lose a penny on re-sale

The new stage by Clearaudio may well be a game changer - amplification in the headshell before going down the arm - has anyone heard one yet?

Nice to know that the 70's into early 80's in the time of statement DD's from the big manufacturers still keeps beating so called new technology to the punch. Was the Yamaha any good?

Hi EBuzz - I used to have an EAR 834P. I found it happened to have its own very distinctive musical signature. There are people out there that due to this 'musicality' they simply will not change from the EAR 834p regardless of costs. It is definitively 'tubey'. I haven't got, or heard an ALLNIC - but think about what you want from your phono amp first before buying - I myself preferred higher resolution and tighter bass - is there no way you can get a dealer to lend the Allnic to you

Hi Jonathon - that is just so funny I think. Another irony is that Harry Weisfield in an interview said that an SP10 would cost 30,000 USD in todays market. I genuinely believe that when big companies really 'went for it' some astonishing products that whilst not cheap, were still good value for money. I've written elsewhere that I have an EMT 950 that I am restoring, and I want to set aside some savings to do this at then end of next year - I hope it's brilliant - that said I like the fact that it has the phono boards fairly close to the arm output. BTW why oh why won't can't you get the Connoisseur made again? I may never be able to afford it, but it is one of the few high end products like the Sirius that were truly 'mount everest' products (a bit like the McLaren F1 car) and to know they exists is a good thing for me.