How to match a Cartridge with the right phono preamp?

There are good phono stages that are very flexible, the Gold Note PH-10 comes to mind, will mate with just about any cartridge. But I’ve heard better sounding units but for the $$$ you can’t go wrong with the GN. What’s your budget?

It is easy to underestimate the value of a phono stage. I started with a highly rated $200 Phonostage and was so disappointed… at twice that, and twice that, and twice that… etc, you want a really good phonostage. If you choose carefully I would look in the range of your preamp… or TT with cartridge… a used Phonostage from Audio Research, or VAC, Conrad Johnson, or Presto. Never hold back on a Phonostage.

@rsf507 thank you for your response, I was looking at that brand/model that you posted. Unfortunately that preamp is out of my budget. I was reading about the new Schiit Mani 2, which apparently it works well with MC cartridges, I had a Mani 1 with my Ortofon Bronze (MM) and I really enjoyed.

@ghdprentice ​​​​​​ thank you for your time, as it right now I have a Technics MK2 (soon to be upgraded), nagaoka MP-150 cartridge, fluance signature bookshelf speakers. And the cartridge MC that I was thinking to buy is an Ortofon MC20 Miki. 

I decided, future cartridge(s) unknown, to go for some flexibility.

Make sure it has PASS for MM to skip the internal transformer and go straight to your MM Phono Input.

I chose a vintage Fidelity Research FRT-4 SUT, which has PASS and 4 selectable gain/impedance choices.

Also the additional advantage of 3 tonearm inputs, front selectable, you don’t need to change any cables if you have 2 or 3 arms.

This one looks in very good shape and someone changed the RCA Jacks to better quality than factory ones

the way things have been going, that’s a good price.

This one has lots of flexibility