Phono Preamp

Yep, my thoughts exactly.... a company that listens to the customer needs and is willing to modify ’stock’ designs to meet certain needs.

James Henriot at Whest did the same for me with my new PS.30 RDT SE 2019; I have a custom gain setting and input capacitance to match my Vintage Audio Technica AT-20ss. I am very pleased not only with the service, but how this thing performs!

Another vote for the Herron.

For the money Herron VTPH2A is the way to go.

I wouldn’t drop ~ 3K on a Herron when running a 1600 turntable/arm/cart package, just saying. Others like the EAR or JLTi might be a more reasonable fit, still leaving room for growth with the crucial table/cart upgrade.

My opinion is that an upper level phono stage will still extract far more information than a low level unit.  Granted a medium quality turntable is not going to give you all that you can expect, but the capabilities of the phono stage will not choke out what you do extract.  

If I recall, the OP here was willing to spend a decent amount on a turntable.  Assuming he purchases something pre owned and in nice shape, he can get a lot of bang for his buck with his budget.  If I were doing the same thing, I'd put as much as possible into the phono stage and not be saving money there.