Helping a kid out


So long story short I got neighbor kid into audio and to appreciate listening to music on something other than a cheap Bluetooth speaker.  He’s pretty young but a good kid, a hard working honest kid.  So far he’s accumulated his old mans Dual turntable that I helped him clean up and installed an Ortofon 2M Blue on it, a nice but older Marantz integrated and a pair of Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 speakers.  I hooked him up with a pair of Kimber 8TC speaker cables I had retired a while ago (lol, probably making them the most expensive part of his system).  He’s looking to upgrade and I suggested trying out a dedicated phono stage.  I’m assuming his budget is in the $200 range and I told his old man I wouldn’t let him buy something stupid.  I had no idea the sheer volume of phono stages in this price range on the market.  What would you guys and gals suggest?  My knee jerk reaction is Schitt Mani and I read a few good things about a Bellari unit but holy cow the choices are infinite.  Maybe something a little higher end but used?  Extra points if it can be purchased from Amazon but that’s by no means a deal breaker.
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quick search…most probably available on Amazon

  1. Cambridge Audio CP1 Phono Preamplifier- Black
  2. Emotiva Audio XPS-1 Phono Preamp
  3. Pro-Ject Audio – Phono Box DC – MM/MC Phono preamp with line output
  4. YAQIN MS23B upgraded version of MS22B 12AX7B X2 Stereo Tube Phono Stage
  5. Music Hall PA1.2 MM/MC Phono Pre Amp
  6. Pro-Ject Phono Box USB V Phonograph Preamplifier, Black

You only reinforce my point that there are literally a hundred options in that price range.  It’s difficult to discern which of them are just your average ‘me too’ products and which actually are quality sounding items.  I know the Schiit is the easy way out but for myself at least it’s a known quantity and fits the budget as well.  I was hoping for some hidden gems to consider that folks had some first hand experience with.  Thanks tomic601 for all the input and I may just take you up on your offer of duplicate vinyl…I was thinking about putting together a care package of music as a Christmas present.  I only mentioned the Bellari unit as I have heard it mentioned favorably a few times in reviews…plus it looks cool…which is of course also important.  I just unearthed a Rothwell Rialto for a teensy bit over budget that would be nice.
Hey, good on you… kid’s lucky to have a mentor. Have you considered the Vincent PHO-8? Nice little unit with an outboard power supply. Hifishark turned up a few for sale in the $199-$250 range when I checked just now.