Which sub $1k phono stage to go?


All,
Right now I am in the market of a sub $1k phonoe stage, and I need some advice. My setup is VPI MK IV, Rega RB300, and Benz Micro Glider. The rest of the system is YBA integre Delta DT and Atlantis Seolane, harmonic teck wires all through. I am using Musical Fidelity X-LP (the older can model), and I feel it is the bottle neck in the whole system. It lacks the resolution and details, and bass is not satisfying either. While I can't audit all the phono preamps out there in the market, so I am wondering if you can point me to the right direction on what phono stage I should audit, and also if there is anything I need to do to improve the rest of the system. Thanks a lot for your time.

Steve
wr_aspire
Now that I have all this gain,my speakers are doing the bounce bounce again. I may have to get a shelf and mount it to the wall behind the entertainment center. This would make the old lady quite happy.

Tim
Antique Sound Lab valve phono preamp at less than 300 and easily modified. Nice unit and it looks cool, too.

Here is a link to the unit:
http://www.divertech.com/aslminiphono.htm
This was the one I chose. Todd The Vinyl Junkie has a 30day return policy, also some of the other models. Suggest you demo what ya can, and decide which is best value. Some of the less expensive ones may have better synergy with your setup/cables, wont know til ya try. Common sense usually applies on things like power supplies etc...
Please post your findings on the ASL phono preamp after you've had time to play with it once it is broken in.
If it is the high-output version, the Graham Slee ERV Gold MkV is hard to beat. I'm using it, and it is nothing short of breathtaking. It also was just ranked Class A by Stereophile. If its low-output, move up to the Graham Slee Elevator EXP. I'm using the combination with a Shelter 501 MkII, and the sound is incredible.