Best "Built In" Phonostages on New Equipment Today?

Yup, I have an A65+ as well I got on eBay really cheap (compared to vintage 70's stuff) that sounds awesome.

 

I'll second that.

 

Another Croft vote from me.

I used to use an Edwards Audio MC1 separate phono stage - which is a goodun and which blew my old NAD preamp's built-in item out of the water - but the Croft Micro 25's built-in phono stage is just sooooo much better.

 

I have the Rogue Audio Sphinx and it has a very nice phono stage for $1400. Quite happy with it.

 

At those prices they should.

 

The OP did say "Say up to $15 k for the integrated amp"

 

Another for the mighty Croft Micro 25 from me also. Brilliant phono stage!!!

 

I wasn't questioning the price, only saying that for that price they should sound good. The problem is that not everything sounds it's price level. The Shindos do.

 

Fair enough. As you were.

 

Parasound is very good.

 

I would say Accuphase, although the phono stages are nowadays an option for their integrated amps. But IMO they are top class.

 

Mara 6004 ok

 

I will be acquiring an Adcom GFP 565 this weekend and would like some opinions on the best method of fitting it into my system.
My thought is to hook up my turntable and my DVP 9000ES to the adcom and then use either the tape out or possibly the processor out? to my Rotel RSP 1066 tape in. Or use Y cables to simply split my speaker inputs to the ADCOM and the Rotel leaving the ADCOM pure analogue.
This is so I can still use my Rotel for multi channel sacd and the odd movie.

How do the LAB outs or by-pass or normal connections function?

 

I just bought one and I can assure you that the phono stage is terrific.

 

I can't answer all these, but can say that this is a very good pre-amp with a wonderful phono section. The output info can be found with an internet search of reviews and the owners manual pdf. Best of luck with it!

 

I think the phono stage in the CAT preamp is excellent. Have not heard the latest CAT Renaissance Black Path yet, but all the other models are superb. I'm certain the new CAT Renaissance is as well.

 

Congrats! I use the phono stage on mine pretty much every day and with the 8.0 firmware it is even easier to dial in a cartridge because there are pre-set profiles for lots of cartridges. Mine was included and I am delighted with the default.

 

Yes I have read many opinions regarding the phono section and that is my main reason for buying it.

 

My vote would go to the VAC Sigma 160i SE

http://www.vac-amps.com/productPages/Sigma160i.html

 

It's good. Better than the 2 dedicated preamps I had prior, Jolida JD9 & Simaudio 110LP.

 

Thanks you. BTW, the 8.1 version of the firmware is now available with more speakers (SAM) and cartridges (phono pre-sets) in the data bank. ENJOY !!!

 

Most importantly it fixes the messed up SAM in v8.0

 

I have the AI M3B without the gold phono board ( for low output MC carts) and I love the sound of the phono stage. AI put a lot of work into this design (look at the reviews of the M3 A) and it pays off in sound quality for analog fans.

 

I read somewhere that the Vitus integrateds (they have several at different price levels and one or two are under $15k) have great (optional) phono stages.