Looking for a phono stage to go with my system

My system consists of

Onkyo TX-NR905
VPI Aries Scout TT with Ortofon 2m Bronze
Polk RTi12 Fronts
Polk CSi A6 Center
Polk CSi5 Surrounds
SVS PB12-NSD

My budget is around $1000. I would be okay with a unit that was $2000+ but a couple years old. It seems you can always pick them up unused at 1/2 the price or so once the newer models come out.

Thanks Meambler. Your speakers are reasonably efficient at 8 Ohms and 90 db sensitivity. An easy load for most amps to drive. A couple integrated amps immediately come to mind. These have the HT bypass feature I spoke about and quality MM phono sections. Install one of these in your system and it will be dedicated to driving your L/R Mains full time - for your 2 channel analog listening as well as multi-channel. Your Onkyo AVR will drive your center and surrounds when you wish to listen to strictly multi-channel HT stuff. All at the push of a button.

Marantz PM8004
Music Hall A70.2

Either of the above will get the job done and sound superb with your table/cartridge and rest of your system. You should be able to find these models new or as demos with warranty at your stated budget. Hope you get some other suggestions. Good luck!

Wow Paraneer,

Thanks for the help.

I'm always amazed and humbled at the generosity and willingness of people who help others.

What would you recommend as a step up from these models?

The one I end up going with will be my systems brain and as I upgrade the rest of my system I would want it to be capable of handling better speakers and such as I continue down the rabbit hole of the audiophile world.

Thanks again

What about a Harmon Karmon HK990? New they are around $2500 but I
found a used one in my price range.

Better than the Marantz PM8004?

Take a look at the Jungson JA88D. It is a pure class A integrated amplifier and it has a built in phono for MM and MC. Though, I use my Jasmine phono, which is superior. However, it is respectable.