Hello All. New here and, while I know this question has probably been posted in the past, phono preamps at the "budget" level keep appearing and it is impossible to audition them all. I am using a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable, previously mated with a Creek OBH-8. That little preamp is dying and I don't have a lot of money. I am interested in impressions of the preamps listed below. Even better if there are people who have auditioned any of these side by side.

Here is my questions:
Any of you have never try a solid state amplifier with pre-amp LS26 from Audio Research. My system is as follow: Sonus Faber Grand Piano, LS26 and VT100MKIII from AR, Ayre's CD and Siltech's cables. I was thinking buy a solid state amplifier for new sound just for change occasionelly and when I don't have time to warm up my tubes. So what would be a good choice ? I was thinking of Mcintosh mc252 or mc402. I'am opened to your suggestion ! Merci for your time !

I heard that power/line conditioners really make a difference in audio quality. I wanted to find out about products. Questions:
1. Which brand and model is the overall best and why?
2. Which is the most popular and why?
3. If you could change something about the most popular one, what would it be?
4. If you could have whatever you want in a Power Conditioner what would it be?
5. Is there anything about a power conditioner's look that you feel is important for it to have?
6. What's the ideal retail price for a High-End Power conditioner?

AF

I heard that power/line conditioners really make a difference in audio quality. I wanted to find out about products. Questions:
1. Which brand and model is the overall best and why?
2. Which is the most popular and why?
3. If you could change something about the most popular one, what would it be?
4. If you could have whatever you want in a Power Conditioner what would it be?
5. Is there anything about a power conditioner's look that you feel is important for it to have?
6. What's the ideal retail price for a High-End Power conditioner?

AF