I bought a PS Audio Phono Converter when the price dropped to $1000. It's very good AND can rip ytour LPs to HiRez (including DSD). It also has a line in so you can rip with another phono preamp if you wish. I'm using it with very tweaked Linn tables and various arm/cartridge combinations. The rips I get are fantastic.
Assuming a MM preamp is enough for your needs , there are many who swear by the Transcendent Sound vacuum tube phono preamp for $999 assembled or $699 as a kit . Some swear it's his best sounding product as well .
Another vote for the Jd9. Out of The box it’s pretty good; with great tubes (brimar), modified caps and op amps... way above what you’d expect at the price point. A bit much on the gain, so a quality attenuator helps a lot.
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