I need help choosing a budget phono stage gift

I had an iFi on my short list for a while.
(It was the only one at that price point that seemed like a solid option, but I did not do an exhaustive search.)

• How would one tell if that the Pioneer already has a decent enough phono stage?
• And how would one tell if a different cart might be a better use of the $200?

ideally I suppose one might find one that they could demo?

Another vote for Schiit

+

Pyle $14. beat both of them, in-line, out of sight

=

?

😃

Or maybe someone, or a dealer in your city, would have one available to try?