need advice for budget preamp for Rega p3-24...

Oh, thanks, thanks, for these ideas. I will research them. I should note that the Rega p3-24 has a MM cartridge (elys 2; would possibly upgrade to exact later).

Any particular reasons why these recommended preamps hit the sweet spot at this (admittedly meager) price point?

I dream of tubey warmth but wonder if anything in this price range can really pull that off, despite the nice reviews of budget bellaris. I just don't want anything to add coldness (in the name of analytical precision) into this sound chain. I like to the woodiness of nice instruments, above all, and the resonance.

Thanks, folks.

So I've been researching all these suggestions--up to 14 now!

Unfortunately, the chance to audition and compare them is negligible where I live. How frustrating. So I read up on these little boxes.

I know grade inflation well as a teacher, but, wow, the reviews for most of these (it seems) take place around Lake Woe-be-gone, where all the phono stages are above average (at least). I don't want to get more phono stage than my rig can audibly show off. But oh man I want to play those Lester Bowie records...

I'm tempted by the delicious idea to buy ALL of the competing phono preamps from Audio Advisor (or wherever) and then doing blind a/b/c/d/e/f listening comparisons--and sending all but one back as insufficiently warm, liquid, quiet, dimensional, empathetic, forgiving, entrancing, and simpatico with my, umm, mild system.

But that would require several new credit cards. That we can't do this is one of the frustrations and defining features of this hobby, at least for someone in a Midwestern college town. Hopefully this roster of suggestions (above) will help future soul in my condition.

BTW: after bidding on a Graham Slee (and being declined), I just purchased a used Cambridge Audio 640p via audiogon for $125. Hopefully that will be a good start!

After five months of use, the Cambridge Audio 640p I bought used on the 'gon DIED. It was used, so no warranty. Ugh.

Who repairs these things at good rate? I opened it up and nothing looked obviously bad, loose, or scorched. Power supply worked fine, too. Hmm.

So I just bought a Rega Fono online for under $200 used.

Would have liked to buy a lejonklou kinki 3, but at over $900 (with tax), i just can't see how it is 4x better than rega fono. I know it's better (I heard it) but my ears are a little bigger than my wallet right now.