Your Favourite MM Phono Stages

[Ptah]

I use the Exposure XM3 and it's very good.

 

[kevinrt]

I had a Croft integrated amp for a moment and loved the phono stage. Incredible. I couldn’t get on with the dual volume knobs though.

Did he make a standalone phono stage?

Yes. Quite a few. Later ones were RIAA, RIAA R, RIAA RS,

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[Dowser]

My personal favorite is the Parasound JC-3 jr (I simply prefer SUT's for LOMC use -so don't use it's MC capabilities) -without sounding soft or rolled off in the HF -John Curl's design simply is the most relaxed -plain pleasant to listen thru. I also own and enjoy: old Bryston BP-1.5 (-mainly used for LOMC Denon carts), Hegel V-10, ELAC PPA-2 and Hagerman Bugle II -these are all -IMHO opinion excellent MM preamps.I also own a Opera Consance MM tube pre-amp ( puzzling design -transformer on this unit's power supply seems way more than required to light up a couple of tubes ?). Lounge Audio LC-1 ( factory modified to have 47 pF input cap for use with AT MM carts) also works a treat with London Decca carts ( and a Lounge audio Copla), Own 2 of the art DJ Pre II ( 1 modified for 100 pF input -again for AT MM carts) and the newer Art Pro -actually like the Pre II better for MM carts-but am impressed with the MC input on the newer model, Ifi iPhono II (owned a one -but sold it off when I got the II). Also owned and used the original model Schiit Mani - never ran a LOMC into it -but neither I or the 2 other friends I loaned it to were impressed with it as a Mm preamp. Sold off -understand Schiit's up to a Mk 3 variant at this time . Parasound XRM -good value for money -but frankly the JC-3 jr just spanked it -sold off.
It's hard to describe what makes the Parasound JC-3 jr the best to my old nun handles? I simply find myself going ahhh -that's just right -within about 2 min . of plugging any of my MM/IM carts into it. The other preamps have their virtues (the ART DJ pre II is just gobsmacking good for -the money) - the other preamps will shine with specific carts hooked into them -but the JC-3 jr is IMHO / limited experience the universal best.

Consider a McKinnie RO III head amp - Swiss made by an ex technician of Curl‘s and based on the head amp in his Vendetta (&, for once, actually allowed by John) - I prefer it to every SUT I’ve tried.

 

[audiopile]

Gotta add a few -owned a Rega Fono -when a good friend needed a phono stage I sold him this unit -really pleasant MM phono stage. Friend built me a custom MM preamp -has gain settable all the way up to 60 dB -very VERY quiet and versatile.
Been trying to think what makes the Parasound JC-3 jr "special" ? It's sorta like this - you're on a elevator and a woman you can't see gets on and the mix of her chemistry and the perfume she's wearing elicits a that is "sooo NICE !!!" reaction. It's worth noting that becuase of overload characteristics the Jr is probably??better than the + for MM/IM use.