Budget Phono Amp / Stage Recommendation?

My vote goes to the Cambridge 640P. Great performance for the price. I've owned it along with NAD PP2, Bellari V129, Musical Fidelity V-LPS and Parasound zPhono. In my system, the Cambridge was quieter, had better detail, better low end, and better midrange than these other units. I was using a Grado Sonata at the time.

What cartridge are you planning to use?

I'm currently using a Vincent PHO-8.It is the best sounding inexpensive phono preamp I have used since selling my Lehman Black Cube SE.The Vincent lists for $399 and can be purchased for a little less.Sounds great,seperate power supply,attractive,well built and easy to use.I have tried inexpensive phono preamps from Bellari,NAD,Trichord and others and prefer the Vincent!

Thanks for all your valuable recommendations! Good stuff! I was tempted to go for the Cambridge Audio 640p new but then I saw a used NAD pp2 for 1/3 its price, I thought I might give it a try first and if I am not satisfied with it, the CA 640p would be the next upgrade. Since I am just starting out, I am very mindful of the cost. As for cartridge, I am starting with Grado Grey MM, and possibly much later a Shure M91 and if i want to try out MC, maybe a Benz Micro Ace MC or AT150? I am really not familiar with cartridges at the moment. What would u recommend for the Thorens TD-150 mk2? Budget under $100 first and move up the ladder later when I want to compare the SQ. I am aware that both MM and MC have quite different sound character, quite subjective, not necessarily MC is always better. Have to complement the TT and phono stage as well right? So far, my research into the analogue sound brought me to this understanding. Hope it is not too far from the truth!

I would recommend the Clearaudio Nano, which I used for 2 years with a Rega p3-24 and a Benz MC20E2 cartridge. Sounded great. It goes for $350 retail, but look for it used you should be able to get it for close to your $200. Read the reviews as well. Let me know if you want additional detail.