Getting back into analog

FWIW, if the Janus is the one box combo w the Rhea phono stage, the VAC was far and away superior in a head to head with a Rhea and also w a Rhea Sig w NOS tubes. One other option which is a very good stand-alone is the ZYX Artisan which head to head beat the Rhea, Rhea Sig, and was very close to the Manley Steelhead. Minimalist design, available at a bargain price from Sorasound as he closes out the ZYX line.

Unless rack space is an important consideration you'd probably be better sticking with your line stage and adding a phono pre, especially if you really like your current line stage. The Premier 15 was suggested earlier, and I like it a lot myself, but I found it was too noisy for use with low output mc's (4mv or lower) when I had it mated with my Premier 16ls. This can be true with other tubed phono pre's as well. After running through some of the better ss phono pre's out there, including the Pass Xono, Tom Evans Groove, Plinius M16 and Walker, I finally settled on the EAR 324, and have been satisfied since. Completely flexible and externally adjustable for any mc or mm (or both), it is quiet and dynamic. It might be a good bet for you no matter which cartridge you choose. Of the others I've listed (all great sounding IMHO) the Walker and Evans are really not flexible, but the Xono can be adjusted via dip switches on the inside.

Travis, Swampwalker & Dlshifi thank you for your recommendations. I should comment that I will be looking for tube options only.

Well then the VAC will fill the bill.

Who has heard Shindo preamps with their builtin phono & what was your opinion?