Recommended pre amp's w/excellent phono stage

Classe makes a few preamps with phono in your price range like the CP-45 or if you can spend a bit more go with the CP-60 Happy Listening

There is a Jeff Rowland Coherence One preamp now on audiogon for $800. One of the best phono stage I have owned, and I have had both the AI Modulus 3 and Counterpoint SA5.1. Rowland stuff sounds great and lasts forever.

i have a conrad johnson pv10A pre amp that has an excellent phono stage.it is paired with a b&k ss amp.the pv10A comes up now and then in the classifieds.if you can get it for $600 or under it is a steal.cj will also upgrade it to 10B status for about $300.

Rega Hal is a good choice for budget analog system. I have ever compared Rega with Lehmann Black Cube and cant locate the difference.

If using moving magnet or hi-output (0.8 mv @ 5 cm/sec) cartridges, try the Audio Research SP 9 MK III. Using the tape-out outputs the SP 9 MK II was indistinguishable from the SP 14 (the line stage was more veiled, less good overall, but also less "hard" sounding at times). The upgrade to the MK III substitutes MIT Caps for Wondercaps, doubles power supply capacitance, and improves grounding, resulting in much better bass extension and dynamics and less system grunge. The unit is still VERY sensitive to line noise, so I suggest using a sound conditoner or VESA blocks. Phono overload is 200 mv @ 1 K, and it maintains equivalent overload at 10 K. This, combined with relatively low noise levels makes it sound very dynamic. It is best used with a more up-to-date line stage (or maybe its the 6922's in the system; I much prefer the sound using the ARC LS 16 MK II). Also, consider getting a kit for an IEC power connection that is said to be available from Len at ARC.

Good hunting!