Tube or solid state phono stage?

Tube all the way! I love my zesto had a Tavish and project tube box prior. Vinyl is about holographic shapes and tubes bring that out.

Look into the DS Audio cartridge and transformer system. I have the entry level DS E1. LOVE it.

Sutherland makes some nice phono preamps. I'm using a relatively inexpensive TZ Vibe with a Hana ML moving coil cartridge. It sounds great to me, but I'm not a real vinyl guru. 

I have a tube preamp and solid state amp. 

As you narrow your selection down look for one with multiple loading selections , on the fly is also a nice feature .  It might also be beneficial if you go with tubes , to look for one with the same type tubes in your preamp making tube rolling easier .   

Zesto is great gear.  If I went to a tube phono stage it would be a Zesto.   George and Carolyn Counnas are some of the nicest people you will ever deal with in this hobby.  Excellent customer service and equipment