inexpensive phono pre amp


Buying a Project Project Debut Carbon Evolution turntable for my daughter to go with a line stage integrated amplifier and need an inexpensive expensive phono pre amp to match the Sumiko Rainier cartridge. Considering the Schitt Mani, Parasound Z, Rega Phono Mini A2D mk 2, Cambridge Audio Alva, NAD PP 2e, IFI Zen and Project Phono Box S2. Thoughts?

mjs

Just to note that I bought my daughter an ifi Zen. Seems to be working well for her.

Duo for $180 refurbished but still thinking about the ifi zen. Wish I could compare these against my Herron

Get the Cambridge Duo. Best measuring phono over at ASR.

If not that, get the schiit mani.

Mani is just ok…it isn’t great. Ended up selling that piece of schiit as it was noisy. 
MoFi is much better. Tried the Ultra but as far as I know the StudioPhono is pretty much the same minus headphone out. 
ifi Zen gets good reviews. I haven’t heard it. 

MoFi makes a phono preamp in the $300 range that gets great reviews and even has a mono switch.

I have a QHW "The Vinyl" from Spain. At$775, it's not exactly a budget unit, but it doesn't have a stratospheric price tag either. This phono pre is the real deal and sounds fantastic. Has MC and a MM section that isn't a after thought. Give it a try. Has a money back guarantee. 

I have been listening to vinyl while searching for great sound for over fifty years and regardless of the reviews, inexpensive phono stages have performed incredibly poorly and held back the sound my turntables. Everyone has budget constraints, and you have to do what you have to do what you have to do to get the best sound you can. So for the future at some time, this is a place where investment is really worth it.

I had the Parasound for several months before I upgraded my integrated amp.  It did nothing wrong and it seems like a fantastic value.

I had a Emotiva XPS-1 for a second TT. It was really nice. Sounded great, quiet. Nice & small. I really liked it. I sold it because I sold my 2nd TT. It is MM/MC with adjustments for load impedance.