Help me choose a phono pre

A good recommendation is the Schiit Mani 2 for $160. Michael Fremer of the Tracking Angle likes it. Yes, you can spend 10, 20, 30 X more for a phono stage but diminishing returns for sonic improvements set in quickly. 

Another recommendation is the Moon 110LPv2 for $599. This also features loading options.

The Moon is nice.   I picked up a Sutherland KC Vibe , they can be found for around $600 used.  Also has gain and loading jumpers.   

As with other components, phono preamps come in many different flavors and system synergy is always in play as well, so It really depends on what specific improvements you’re looking for and what sound characteristics are most important to you, and are you looking for new or used?

I picked up a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2. They now make the DS3. It’s very versatile and sounds great to me. There are a great many choices but it has already been mentioned it’s best to match your TT and cartridge to the appropriate phono pre that will marry up the best. That is good advice.

SPL Phonos https://spl.audio/en/spl-produkt/phonos/

Whatever preamp you choose, make sure that you can select 0 picofarads of capacitance, or at worst case 100 picofarads, or less. The AT has a rising high end response and that can be exacerbated by high capacitance phono stages. And your phono cables and tonearm wire are already adding capacitance. 

The rest is just personal preference and any modern phono preamp should accurately follow the RIAA curve.

This - SPARTAN 20 MM & MC Phono Stage by Michael Fidler - Michael Fidler, Classic Audio Ltd

Order by sending mic an email here - order@michaelfidler.com

He's more of an expert for turntable synergy stuff so send him the email and he'd help you immensely @dcp20124 

I used to have the Moon. Really liked the sound and multiple settings. Only draw back was the settings are made under the unit. It just got unpractical to find the optimum settings.

Buy the best one you can afford.  It will be with you thru multiple cartridges, probably stay with you as you upgrade your whole system.

@dcp20124: Look at the Schiit Skoll F$399 or Stjarna$1699 

Mike

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.

You can't go wrong with a Herron VTPH-2a if you can find one. A brand new black faced one was just sold to somebody in NJ for $2850. It came from the estate of an audiophile that hadn't even had an opportunity to try it in his rig before he passed away...

I also would recommend the Sutherland KC Vibe.  I bought a demo model from my local brick and mortar store about 3 years ago and I am very happy with the sound and quality.   I also have a Shiit Mani 2 for one of my systems and it is a bargain. 

I ordered a Gold Note to stay below $1000 at the recommendations of Ryan at TMR. But it was stuck in Italy so I bought a used Rega Aria MK 3 for the same price and couldn’t be happier.  Great match to Planar 8 and Apheta 3 cartridge.