Phono Preamp Reviews

I ordered up my Lino C 3.0 last year and Rob had it built in a couple weeks. Rob is really responsive and has helped me troubleshoot several issues over the years, usually digital interface software problems. He is one of the truly good guys in the business and I love my Lino, which I feed with two tables: one setup for the current-input for LPs and another dedicated to 78's with an additional MM input. The Lino, configured for flat output, then feeds an A/D interface for digital RIAA and room correction. I dare you to try that solution Mikey. You might just abandon the megabucks phono-preamp in favor of a true game-changer: Room correction for LPs with Acourate or Audiolense. Don't think that swamps the subtlties of an analog phon-preamp? I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you...

This is the one to own in this range.

Sound quality/transparency, build, aesthetics, flexibility, novel approach to differential even through SE connections, charging power supply. If Michael is gushing, it's legit. I need to hear this unit.

I'm happy to read about a much improved "current" phono preamp, the list is growing up, Mofi is jumping to this "fashion" too so I’m all ears !!. And I want to give my ETNA SL a current phono !!. Problem with most phono preamps is you can’t hear it at store much less at home. It will be nice to create a list :D (in order of best to not best). After reading the article of Van den Hul the Grail (the normal one, not SE) I fall in love, but it is impossible to hear it at my EU country, the importer said, "sorry no demo unit, if you want it you have to purchase it" :( ... Now I do not have any idea if I would like/prefer this Lino or the Grail.
So I do not really know If the Grail is better (I think) than the internal phono of my Dartzeel preamp or it is a factor of !WOW thats a huge difference!, and I'm looking for WOW factor :D. Oh and yes I had the opportunity of hearing the CH P1 phono + external power supply at (miracle) !! my home !! and yes it was WOW WOW WOW, but out of my league financially. (For my taste it is better than the Ypsilon Silver that a friend of mine had).

Hello Michael. I know I'm a bit late to this discussion but there is an issue that you did not really cover in your review and I will be facing as I plan to purchase this unit. My AMG Viella has the upgraded Cardas phono cables that terminate in RCA connectors (as do most tonearms). I spoke with Channel D and was told that my best solution would be to simply purchase their $199 XLR to DIN phono cable interconnect and replace my Cardas. When asked, they said that you can not simply change the end connectors on the Cardas from RCA to XLR as the internal construction of balanced cables is inherently different from single ended types. They claim that their unit is totally insensitive to upgraded cable brands. I'm confused and hate ditching my $2000 Cardas for a $199 cable. Since I will be using the Lino with a Backert Labs Rhumba line preamp (it only has one XLR input which I will be using for my DAC) they further said that their RCA output would be just fine and that their is no advantage to using the XLR at the output of the Lino. More confusion. I'd very much appreciate your comments. Thank you.