Best Phono Preamp mm/mc under $3500.00 used

Audio Research. In reverse order of preference: PH2, PH2SE, PH3, PH3SE, PH8, REF3, REF3SE.

I doubt an ARC Reference 3 or 3SE can be had for < $3500.

my favorites have been both solid state (i don’t want tubes in the phono stage) -- lehmann decade and ayre px5e - organic sounding dead quiet plenty plenty of gain and adjustability

Not made anymore but folks loved the Herron VTPH-2a.

Here is a used one.

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649966176-herron-vtph-2/

Allnic 1202 also nice.

+1 for the Herron.

I currently run a Nagra BPS which I love. It reproduces instrument tone better than anything else I’ve heard.

In that price range a Manley Chinook SE would also be a must audition.

ARC PH7 or PH8 in that price range.  I had a PH7 and a friend of mine is getting ready to list one on Friday.  Very musical phono stage.

I didn't like the Parasound but love the PS Audio Stellar....Nice and musical with my Hana MC and ortofon Blue MM. Very flexible unit.....return it if you don't like it...you'll love it. $2500

Typically one of the goals in audiophilea is accurate reproduction of the original material. Using a preamp with the various equalization used (RIAA, Columbia, Decca) , helps get you there and adapt to cross produced albums such as Beatles rereleased in the USA. Gold Note varieties with external power supply PH-10 is amazing and versatile. I’ll never get a phono preamp without these equalizations

Gold Note PH-10 with PSU-10 power supply.

The Modwright PH 9.0X is excellent. I preferred it over the Parasound JC3+ and the Pass XP-15. 

Some good recommendations here.  I tried...

Gold Note PH-10 with PSU

Allnic H-5500

Conrad Johnson TEA2SE

Aesthetix Rhea Signature

They were all pretty great, albeit different, but I bought the Aesthetix and I love it.

Love my Parasound JC3+ phono preamps.  One is used with my Hana Umami, the other is used with a Sound Smith Paua and an MIMC mono.  I had no idea vinyl could sound so good.

Zesto Andros 1.2.  Beautiful sounding tube phono stage.  I have it feeding a D'agostino Momentum HD and MxV monos.  It isn't over matched or outclassed at all.

Never got along with the Parasound JC3+ thought it was noisy. Now the Gold Note PH-10 is wonderful, dead quiet and so versatile.

The Gold Note is definitely dead quiet.  If you need a phono stage that pulls out all the detail, the GN will do that for you.  The GUI is quite nice as well.  I really liked it a lot...I was just looking for more warmth and soundstage.