Don't sell the Artisan short, esp. w a ZYX cart. In a head to head comparison on a very high resolution analog rig (Teres 365, Triplanar, ZYX Universe, Doshi-Lectron, B&W 802Ds), the Artisan was substantially better than a Rhea Signature w NOS tubes. The phono stages we listened to that day, in pretty much unanimous agreement, were, in overall descending order of SQ, were Doshi-Alaap > Manley Steelhead = Artisan >> Rhea Signature. YMMV, but I'd try it at home before parting w long green on the Rhea. Never heard the others that have been mentioned.
Want new phono amp, what should I buy?
I have a Sota Star Nova turntable with an SME V tonearm and will soon have a Sota Cosmos 4 turntable. I curently have a very low hour Zyx 4D cartridge with the Gold Coils, Purist Audio Designs 1.2m Venustas Rev C tonearm and a Zyx Artisan Phono amp. The rest of my system is Pass Labs XP 10 Pre-amp and a X350.5 power amp with a set of built to the max True Soundworks (Rich Murry) Apogee Duetta Ultimate Signatures speakers. I think the weak link in my phono rig is my phono amp. I would like some recommendations for my audition list?