Glenn does have a way with valves and his RIAA stages have always sounded very good and with noise and distortion pretty well at 'solid state' levels. Not for everyone I agree and being valved, the overall 'hue' of timbral accuracy can be fine tuned by tube rolling. Maybe not as kind to less good vinyl sources as my Phono 2 is, but that's because IMO the Phono 2 brings more of everything out without subtly compressing things. To be absolutely fair to Glenn, Rich hasn't heard what Glenn can 'really' do with his phono stages, as the separate phono stage he does has better power supplies than the Basic preamp offers and of course, there's the RS model too
I'm drifting off again (so what's new?), but my Phono two with twin supplies (only able to try it briefly) made my shitty Garrard sound even better and clearer as bass distortion (for example) was better handled and the music better separated from it. Sorry, I can't explain it better.
Rich, if you get the chance, PLEASE try a Phono 2. There's an 'organic' quality in well recorded and pressed records that the Crofts may slightly over-do and the Phono 1 glosses over *in comparison.* Once heard, you'll find it difficult to resist.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way...The time has gone, The song is over, Thought I'd something more to say...