Phono Pre Advice

Herron VTPH-2A...transformational in my system and in your price range.

I have the Gold Note and am comparing it with my existing LFD LE. The Gold Note is tremendous and its myriad tuning options really help nail the sound you want and that your record demands. I find it's not as expansive as the LFD, though it does dig out upper level details better.

Have you also considered the Parasound JC3+? It's the under-$10K reference for many audio writers.

Thank you!
i do not have a local Herron dealer but I will do as much research as I can, very intriguing and all of their preamps have a stellar reputation 

@simao is the LCD display on the PH 10 distracting to you? Can you defeat it entirely? 

I have have looked at the  Parasound, I have opened a few Halo pieces in the past, looking to go in a different direction, and while not as important as performance, I feel the aesthetic of the Halo line could use and update even if that would add some $$ to the cost.

thx again,
-JP

*Owned a few Halo pieces...

A hair above your budget but the Musical Fidelity NuVista Vinyl is spectacular.  Full sound, a hair warm and brilliant with Ortofon cartridges though it is $3700.  I would be using this unit with my Cadenza Blue if I wasn’t the importer for Art Audio.  The list of units that beats the MF is short but quite distinguished.  Many MF dealers will probably find the flexibility to fall in your budget.  

The other I would look at is the Rogue Ares Magnum.  In the beefy part of your budget at $2800, it was the unit I was looking at prior to entering the industry.  Rogue makes great equipment and this unit stands out.

Full disclosure, I am an MF dealer so I am a hair biased in it’s favor but MF has a stellar reputation for making great phono stages.  I have no relationship with Rogue.  I am also, obviously a fan of tube phono stages. 

You can turn the OLED display off on the Gold Note.

And the NuVista is quite good, too.

Allnic.

Another vote for the GN & PS combo. It’s just so versatile and if you ever get a second tonearm you’d be all set.

You may want to consider a Luxman E-250.  It's at the low end of your budget but won't sound like it.  Has a built in MC cartridge demagnetizer called the "articulator".  Very even frequency response with dynamics and bass slam to boot.  It's physical attractiveness doesn't hurt.

I'm glad I posted, lots of great feedback...thank you,

I haven't thought of the Luxman, there is a dealer within an hour, as the owner of Accuphase amplification, I appreciate "higher end" Japanese gear. Definitely going on the list
-JP

You should choose Luxman tube amp, it sound sweet and thick. But it is difficult to find a really good one because it is vintage item.

Both the Herron VTPH-2 and the Allnic are excellent suggestions. I have owned both and consider them neck and neck. You should be able to find an Allnic H1201 or H1202 in your price range. I have the H1202, and it's very musical. Can't go wrong either way.

Okay, so are you looking for advice or offering it????

@sleepwalker65 If the above is directed at my post, I'm not sure how you mean?

I simply was soliciting feedback on my short list and thoughts on phono stages I may not have yet considered. I did receive some good feedback and am pleased with the results

Happy listening...
-JP

@jp-2213     You are in a great place with your budget to consider many fine phono amps!  One other fine benefit of going from a sub $1000 unit to the Luxman E-250 is the vast reduction in the reproduction of pops and clicks as that unit has a much more advanced power supply which can better manage those amusical surface transients.