The Schiit Mani or the iFi Zen Phono would be your best bet with that cartridge. Grados are not detail-hounds, nor are they particularly accurate, and you will not benefit from a higher-end phono stage. I have the Mani 1 and the iFi Zen and use them with a Grado Red, Shure V15 IV, AudioTechnica Pro14S, and Dynavector Ruby moving coil. I prefer the iFi over the Schiit, but I have not heard the Mani 2 or the Skoll.
Looking for a great phono pre-amp in the $1000 or less range
I’ve a vintage Kenwood KD-500 DD turntable (concrete base), and grace tonearm. Currently running a grado gold MM cartridge running through the built-in phono preamp section of my NAD C658 preamp, into an Anthem MCA 225 mk 2 amp and Martin Logan Classic 9 electrostatic speakers. Streaming Tidal can give me some stunning results but my music through the turntable is far less compelling. Hence the desire to try upgrading my phono preamp section (and eventually move to a MC). After substantial digging I’ve got a few higher level candidates, there are obviously many out there.
the two front runners I’m considering are:
the Back Ice Audio F9 mk and the gold note PH5. The black ice is intriguing but not nearly as well known or reviewed as the gold note.
others I’ve considered:
sutherland KC Vibe mk2
moon audio 110 LP V2
parasound zphono XRM
feedback from the community appreciated!