On the fence about Vinyl need a good phono stage for A/B testing

Vinyl is a medium that requires and rewards excellent source and phono pre. Go as high as possible here because everything here is amplified, and the phono pre "wakes up" the system. I use tubes and have spent a tidy sum putting together the right combo. My other components have been tweaked but the phono pre has been worked over to the max.
You won’t wonder if it yields significant results, it will be apparent.
I don't make equipment suggestions as I've only had one setup and went all out [for me] when I purchased. My
system is on virtual systems.

Thanks rsf507, great reviews for the price.

First check the VTA on your tonearm

tube phono is the only way to go!! 

gregb63, dealer calibrated the arm for me and setup the cartridge. What phono stage do you use?.

Seems like lot of people also like Shindo Masseto or even Shindo Monbrison. How do these compare to Luxman EQ-500 / Manley Steelhead / BAT - VK-P12SE all are similarly priced.

Guru Ralph Karsten of Atma-sphere has posted extensively on this subject. His position, as I understand it, is that the phono stage is critical to vinyl listening. A better phono stage means less noise and fewer pops as well as better resolution.

I agree. When I moved from inexpensive good value phono to ARC, the difference was phenomenal. Did that twice. More recently, my previous DIY phono stage used the best component in most places - it is quite inferior to the present one, which uses the best component in every place.

One thing, though - you may miss the "high frequencies" of digital. This lack is only apparent and not real, as what is missing is the highly audible distortion masquerading as 'speed' and 'attack'. It is akin to the sound of a cheap electrolytic capacitor in the signal path.

You should find the analogue sound to be more relaxing and more conducive to long listening sessions. That's what we (analogophiles) all strive for.