[ACHiPo]

Evan,

I’ve only had two phono stages so my experience is limited, but having said that I currently have the Suspiro made by Odyssey and I’m completely satisfied with it.  It is clean, crisp and sounds great.  Here are a couple of links if you’ve never seen it.   

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/suspiro-phono-preamp-odyssey-made-usa-includes-upgrade-path#DfboaMoGjjk15vdu.97

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=121871.0

Hifi,
Thanks for the lead.  I've heard lots of good things about Klaus's amps, but haven't heard about the phono stage.  Doesn't look like Fremer ever published a review?

[nickd]

But seriously, the LKV unit posted above is good as is PBN Audio's uber version called the Olympia Pi. Both are the brainchild's of Erno Borbely if my memory serves me correctly.

As my budget did not allow me to go with the Olympia Pi, I went with the Liberty B2B 1 made by PBN. No regrets at all after a year and a half. You need two to run balanced, but they should be close to your price range. The sound from these units is mind blowing for the money.

[hifi12002]

Hifi,
Thanks for the lead.  I've heard lots of good things about Klaus's amps, but haven't heard about the phono stage.  Doesn't look like Fremer ever published a review?

No, I don’t think Fremer ever published a review, but it is certainly worth a look, or call to Klaus to see if it might meet your needs.

Good luck in finding a replacement!

[TomS]

Wow the Andros phono stage has a great reputation.  Is the Lio equivalent, better, or just different?  Why did you switch?

The LIO does everything I need in a single box. I feel the phono stage is an improvement in several areas. Both use transformers for MC, but the LIO (SS) is quieter and seems to provide better synergy with my Soundsmith Hyperion, particularly in the bass. It eliminates another set of interconnects, power cords, etc. and my tonearm has a direct connection from the cartridge clips through silver wire right to the LIO phono stage inputs. It's all a very short signal path, which is a good thing IMHO.

[ACHiPo]

I got a good deal on an NOS Ray Samuels XR-10B so I pulled the trigger.  I'll post my observations when it arrives.

[ACHiPo]

AC,
In the mean time you'll be a lot more flexible with another single ended phono cable. If you need one, Ultimate Cables in Canada makes one that's 1/2 silver and 1/2 OCC copper for around $90.  It takes awhile to settle down, but sounds pretty good.
neo

Neo,
I haven't heard back from Ultimate Cables, and their website is whacked.  Morrow cables has SE phono cables for a similar price.  I've heard good things about their cables, but haven't heard them.  Do you have any experience?

Evan

[neobop]

Hi Evan,
The only thing I know about Morrow is from their site.  It looks like they use thin gauge solid core and locking RCAs on some. 
http://morrowaudio.com/audiophile-and-home-theater/phono-cables

I think Ultimate Cables might now be Signal Cables.  I believe Griff mentioned them on the other thread.
http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionphono.html

Ultimate was 50% OFC and 50% pure silver mixed together.  Signal also uses silver and copper.  Looks like a great value.  BTW, if you're getting RCA those Neutrik pro plugs make ground before hot, but I don't think you really need them.
neo

[ACHiPo]

Hi Evan,
The only thing I know about Morrow is from their site.  It looks like they use thin gauge solid core and locking RCAs on some. 
http://morrowaudio.com/audiophile-and-home-theater/phono-cables

I think Ultimate Cables might now be Signal Cables.  I believe Griff mentioned them on the other thread.
http://signalcable.com/silverresolutionphono.html

Ultimate was 50% OFC and 50% pure silver mixed together.  Signal also uses silver and copper.  Looks like a great value.  BTW, if you're getting RCA those Neutrik pro plugs make ground before hot, but I don't think you really need them.
neo

Neo,
Thanks.  The Signal Cables DIN-RCA cables are coming in at ~$260 for a 1m set, which could be a great deal, but is 2x the Ultimate Cables price.  I found a pair of Statement Ohno copper cables for ~$130 and OHNO cast silver for $350 US, with another $10 for 3 day burn in.  Still noodling...(I've got a couple days before I get my phono stage)

[neobop]

I don't know what you're doing.  The XR-10B looks like it has balanced outputs going to the line stage, and single ended inputs?

http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/xr-10b

neo

[ACHiPo]

I don't know what you're doing.  The XR-10B looks like it has balanced outputs going to the line stage, and single ended inputs?

http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/products/xr-10b

neo

Neo,
Not sure I know what I'm doing either!

I want the xlr outputs on the phono stage since I've already dropped pretty serious coin on a balanced IC.  I'd like xlr inputs since I have a balanced tonearm cable, but I couldn't find any that also supported multiple cartridges/arms.   The Samuels design is supposedly fully balanced dual mono, but has single-ended RCA inputs with balanced outputs.  I rolled the dice, figuring if I don't like it I won't be out all that much if it's any where as good as the reviews suggest (of course if it's that good, I'm pretty sure I'll like it).

Still trying to find a reasonably priced tonearm cable with RCA terminations.  My WTT tonearm already has RCAs, but I bought a balanced cable for my second Pioneer tonearm (based on the balanced inputs on the Rowland).  I figure switching to RCAs for the Pioneer will give me more flexibility as suggested.

Evan

[ACHiPo]

The Samuels phono stage is installed and sounding good after a whopping 30 minutes of break in.  Which is more impressive given the sorry state of the 6DJ8 tubes in my old PSE hybrid preamp.  I'm going to get fresh tubes, clean up the PSE, and it just might hold me for a while.

Listening to the velvet fog and the mids are so sweet, even with the tubby bass and erroneous tube noises of the much-too-old tubes.