You really need to state what you are looking for. So many times people want something "better" but never state what qualities they want that are lacking in their current gear. So everyone chimes in with suggestions and again state is a given product is "better" but don't qualify their suggestion with useful info. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.
Now with that out of the way, I have a little Bellari VP 129 that shocks me with what can be bought for under $300. This unit is for MM only. It is quiet. The tonal quality is superb. Rich and golden warm but not at the expense if detail or dynamics which are very good. It's also super affordable to roll in premium quality tubes to tweak the sound. I have a current production Mullard tube that is so good and have not yet rolled in the Tung Sol. (You can buy premium tubes that are tested AND listened to for an easy on the wallet price via Upscale)
Used with Project Xpression table, Ortofon OM 20e Super, Sennheiser HD 660s. (the headphone section is quite good as well on the Bellari)
Now with that out of the way, I have a little Bellari VP 129 that shocks me with what can be bought for under $300. This unit is for MM only. It is quiet. The tonal quality is superb. Rich and golden warm but not at the expense if detail or dynamics which are very good. It's also super affordable to roll in premium quality tubes to tweak the sound. I have a current production Mullard tube that is so good and have not yet rolled in the Tung Sol. (You can buy premium tubes that are tested AND listened to for an easy on the wallet price via Upscale)
Used with Project Xpression table, Ortofon OM 20e Super, Sennheiser HD 660s. (the headphone section is quite good as well on the Bellari)