What are best phono preamps under $500 ?

Musical Surroundings MM/MC Phonomena Phono Preamplifier

I was looking into this a few months back and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this unit which was reviewed in Stereotimes back in 1\01.

I have a Passive Pre-Amp and I want to be sure I have enough gain for the Phonostage if that matters.

There was one listed at Agon a few months back and was gone in a day.Has alot of versitility for you to tweek in order to get the best performance from your cartridge.

Anyone have any thoughts on it or think of a better suited unit please advise.

TIA,ABEX

The Phonomena will do what you want. It is electrically quiet, no rushing noises, LP surface noise is minimal, very minimal intrusion from pops etc. The variable gain settings work perfect. I use the Ortofon TM20 cartidge and have the gain set at 46 db which offers plenty of punch and dynamics. I did a direct comparison to a Monolithic in a different system and the Phonomena was the clear cut winner. I have mine plugged into The PS Audio P300 and see no need to use the battery power supply. I listen to 60-80's Rock and Jazz on LP and find the dynamics and soundstage to be complimentary.

New I don't know. I have tried the Camelot an the Musical Fidelity both the XLP and the XLP2. The XLP 2 is claerly the better of the two. The Camelot was also very nice even though I thought it could be more dynamic but it was very refined.

I also saw Music Direct's statement which i find a slap in the face of the people they told to buy the lehman.

Rhljazz,now all I have to do is find a used one for a good price which is kinda of hard.
I thought after reading the review on it that it was what I was looking for.I will be updating my Phono section next year some time.
Thanks

I think the db systems phono preamps are very overlooked...they are extremely transparent...with very good imaging and depth...for under $200 new...at audioadvisor.com...they are hard to beat...If i dont go with a new Rega intergrated...I will add one of these...