Help me choose a phono pre

I know a half dozen experienced vinyl heads who swear by Darlington Labs phono pres. If you’re open to buying used the Parasound JC3 Jr. should be in your price range, and it’s a very capable and flexible piece. 

If you are looking to try low output moving cartridges, you will be looking for something that can do about it 65 db of gain.  You could also do a MM phono stage then later add a step up transformer (SUT) when you get a low output cartridge, but that would mean purchasing both the SUT and another interconnect cable).  Although I prefer tubes, at this price range, particularly if you plan to buy something with around 65 db of gain, stick with solid state.

Schitt Skol is nice, truly, but if your gear is in a rack, just say no, as the on/off switch is tiny and fairly inaccessible on the rear.

Clearaudio Smart Phono V2 - has gain control, setting options for MM and MC

Review link below should you be interested , it includes brief comparison with the aforementioned Schiit Mani

https://pt.audio/2023/04/14/clearaudio-smart-phono-v2-review/

TMR has a PS AUDIO STELLAR MM/MC Phono Pre for $1600.....I use one in  a 40K System....with a Rega P8. That's how good it is. Grab it quick. Nothing at that price is even close. Records sound as dynamic as digital.