The very first post suggested SimAudio Moon phono stages ,
My first external was a 110LP replacing the wall wort with a linear power supply and can say that the improvement was very rewarding compared to the built in found in the pre-amp that I was using at the time,
along with Grado Wood cartridges on a Rega 300rb arm .
A few years ago I upgraded and went with tubes and purchased a
Tavish Design Adagio , this unit is under your $2,000 limit .
I'm now using a Soundsmith Carmen mkII on the same Rega 300rb arm .
Tubes are great but they can be expensive ,
the Moon 110LP is a great unit for it's price but has limited settings .
Either way using an external phono pre-amp will benefit any MM cartridge that you'll use .
My first external was a 110LP replacing the wall wort with a linear power supply and can say that the improvement was very rewarding compared to the built in found in the pre-amp that I was using at the time,
along with Grado Wood cartridges on a Rega 300rb arm .
A few years ago I upgraded and went with tubes and purchased a
Tavish Design Adagio , this unit is under your $2,000 limit .
I'm now using a Soundsmith Carmen mkII on the same Rega 300rb arm .
Tubes are great but they can be expensive ,
the Moon 110LP is a great unit for it's price but has limited settings .
Either way using an external phono pre-amp will benefit any MM cartridge that you'll use .