tube phono stage under $1k?

I'd also recommend the Wright WPP100C. I have it, and it's a great unit. Definitely better in some ways than the one internal to the BAT Vk-30 preamp I have (which in itself is not a bad phono stage). The Wright is dead quiet, adjustable gain, very nicely made for the price, and has a cool copper chassis. As a bonus, the tubes are fairly cheap too. I've seen and heard the Hagerman and that's a nice piece too, Jim H. is a cool guy to deal with too.

-Ed

"The Ear destroys the Wright in every way! I have spoken."

Wrong. the EAR is lame in comparison. I have heard them back to back in the same system... no contest. The wright is not as pretty but sounds 100% better. the EAR was noisy/compressed IMHO.

"The wright appealed to me alot, in spite of what I realize is a home spun operation."

This is a GOOD thing. The best gear made today is made by one-man-band type companies. The only downside is the wait can be long sometimes.

Have heard good things about the Hagerman too, it sounded good in the systems I have heard it in. A bit more $ than the Wright (for the big hagerman piece).

-Ed