Recommendations for a phono stage: Gold Note turntable w/ MC cartridge to ARi50.

Darlington Labs

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I’ll most likely increase my budget up to 1K.

I started with an inexpensive Parasound phono stage and a MM cartridge. Upgraded to a Sutherland KC Vibe which was notably better. Upgraded to a MC cartridge and a Sutherland TZ Vibe.  Another notable improvement. The TZ Vibe is out of your budget range, but it's as good as I think I'll ever need. I'm not a huge vinyl guy, but I have several hundred albums from years ago. 

I think a lot of folks underestimate the importance of the phono stage.  There are many options in your budget range that will sound "good", but you should consider budgeting close to what you spent on your turntable to get the most out of your vinyl playback.  As you step beyond the entry level phono stages you're considering you'll get more drive, dynamics, and tunefulness from a better quality phono stage.  If you just need something right now, consider a Parks Audio Waxwing as an interim step and save up for something commensurate with your turntable.

Project tube phono excellent choices

@maholl50 

Noting it is above the top of your budget. But in line with my comment on 2nd hand Whest stages there is a Whest 2.2 discrete (current new over $2k) going for $1195 on US Audio Mart. If you did not get on with it the likely 'loss' on resale could be much less than 2 or 3 iterations of getting anywhere near what this can do.  

Darlington Labs

You might have to search / wait a bit to find one under $750 but even if you had to go for an older model try and see if you can audition a Whest phonostage.  If you go to the Whest Audio site and look at the testimonials you will see many positive comparisons to some of the stages discussed.
I would also say that since I have had mine (and I started with a pre-loved) the amount of Vinyl I have listened too increased significantly because of the level of performance.  So might be worth an audition of a new entry level one, which is (in the UK) around the same price as a PH-5 and compare it to the Goldnote / others. But warning, you might find your vinyl spend goes up and many Whest users decide as I did to upgrade.  Don’t assume that because the higher end models are in the high £16K range that the entry levels will be ‘basic’ performance. I’ve tried a £1k against £3k+ of some other manufacturers models and it wiped the floor with them. I have seen second hand older models such as the 0.20 that were $2.5k+ new in the US go for $750 or less and non SE 30s go for £1k. The new £1k entry level ones have now got the performance the £2k ones had a decade ago because they cascade down the technology.  The owner James Henriot started out as a BBC Studio engineer and has done production work for many musicians including Herbie Hancock.  They also do have refurbished with guarantees models on their website, though these go quickly, but if you liked a demo you could email and ask to be notified if they have entry level trade ins.

Another vote for the GN PH-5. Very versatile and sounds wonderful

I have the Gold Note PH-10 with the PSU-10 power supply. Highly recommended.

i would think you’d want to push that budget a little given that your turntable runs $7600.  And a new PH-5 is only $1k - not alot for a decent phono stage. I have the PH-1, which is discontinued.  Very nice, punches way above its weight.  

If you don't play a lot of vinyl, it’s hard to beat the Schitt Audio Skoll for $399. Heck, even their Mani punches way above the price of $149. I have both of them in budget systems in 2 of my household systems (one hooked up to a Fluance RT85 and another with a Dual CS 5000). They perform very well for their purpose.

In another system I have a Sutherland KC Vibe that I bought Open Box from a dealer for $600 -- I love it. There are several KC Vibe’s available online, new and used, between $500 and $900.

Interesting information. I wasn’t aware that Rutherford on GNUSA was no longer handling warranty repairs but I would like to think the manufacturer being Gold Note would still honor a warranty on new product at their current repair center within any given country.

With that said I can’t speak to Gold Note’s policy.

@relayer101

OP: While the PH-5 is a great choice I’d be very careful buying from goldnoteusa.com (Rutherford Audio) the former GN distributor.

It is highly unlikely that anything you buy from them will be covered under warranty by GN and definitely not by Fidelity Imports, the current GN distributor, and ultimately the GN warranty administrator for the US.

I own the PH-10 with the PS-10 LPS. I had the Schitt Skoll in my system while I was working through a warranty issue alluded to above (although I did not by direct from Rutherford). Remarkable sound for $399.

All of the suggestions look good so far. If you like the Gold Note brand the PH-5 is selling for $750 on GoldnoteUSA.

Entry level Moon LP110 v2 stage . Used.

Here ya go!

https://avahifi.com/collections/for-vinyl-lovers

At that price level I’d think the ARC module might be your best bet from a price/performance perspective.  If that’s too rich maybe something like the Lehmann Black Cube or a Cambridge Audio phono pre is worth a look.  Best of luck.