I need an economical but good phono preamp?

For under $200, the CA 640P is an easy recommend! You might stumble onto a used unit that may do this or that a little better, but the CA does everything quite respectably!!!

You may want to consider upgrading the HK to a 2-channel unit that has a healthy phono pre built in? ...just a thought.

Good luck!

You may be able to find a Musical Fidelity X-LPS for around $200. One just sold for that price here on Agon. Outstanding sound and plenty of gain.

thorens makes an inexpensive phono pre....a good one too...google.

I recently picked up a Musical Fidelity X-LPS and am very impressed. I paid <$200, and have seen several sell for under that value. I've tried other <$200 phono and none compare.

Even though I suggested the Cambridge, I would second an X-LP if you are buying used. Having owned both, I think that one, or the other, will have more appeal, however. The X-LP is richer, more liquid, softer and nicely dimensional. The 640P is a bit sharper, with better defined leading edges and attack, a bit thiner, yet a bit more focused. Funny enough, the biggest problem with either one seems to be a less than developed deep bass. I suppose that you have to pay a bit more for that. I liked the Gram Slee Gram Amp 2SE as well, if you don't care about MC.