Best budget $100 - 200 Phono Pre-amp?

Stay away from the Rotel RQ970BX. This was my first phono stage and I found it to be noisy and lacking of detail.

I agree with Viridian - find a used Musical Fidelity X-LPS or X-LP2. I had an X-LPS and, for the money, thought it was great.

Rega Fono, hands down.

Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Special Edition $199 right now on the 'Gon.

Have heard/read very good things about it. Lists for $350 or so.

I agree with Nrenter and Viridian: The Musical Fidelity X-LPS is a great inexpensive phono pre. I had one on loan from a dealer two years ago while I waited for a Krell KPE Reference to arrive. It was very smooth, detailed and dynamic, much better than the Parasound ph100 I hed been using up to that point. Plus it has the small military tubes to ptovide that great bloom and warmth quality.

I an mot an expert but, if you dare with the DIY, I'v seen what seems to be quite good. Just go to the following page:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/indiscreto.html

You also have an english version of the page
Is a solid state pre phono, if you want ia a vacuum tube preamplifier here you have one:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/ta/mwpre.html

good luck