Cart / Phono preamp for Technics SL-5200

"Technics tables tend to be dark-sounding"

This statement always astounds me... I've never heard it, even in the most resolving systems.

Anyhow - as to the original poster, I would recommend a new AT-120/e and a used Cambridge Audio - preferably the 640p if you can swing it, which I think you should given your budget.

I'm just curious - why do you say you do not want a Cambridge Audio pre??? The 640p is, without a shimmer of a doubt, vastly superior to the NAD or Music Hall (a re-badged Pro-Ject phono-box, btw) offerings.

Thanks everyone. I was hoping to successfully cheap out with the AT95e, but I'll spring for the 120. Can anyone vouch that it soundly beats the Ortofon I had previously?
About the CA - I'm just not a huge fan of their products in general. I'm not really looking for a NAD, either. I've heard a strong recommendation for the new MH ph1.2 - it doesn't look like the Phono Box to me?! There's also a Rotel or 2 on here now for a hun'erd bucks, so I could get that and the 120 and meet my goal of <$200.

Music Hall used to take the guts of the phono box with a few minor mods and market it as their phono pre.

I find it hard to belive they're not still doing the same thing with their strong analog ties to Pro-Ject. Roy Hall is a master of cherry picking parts off the shelves of existing manufacturers like Pro-Ject and Shanling and building solid equipment from it. That's exactly what he's done with Music Halls relationship with Pro-Ject.

That all being said, I'm sure the Music Hall pre performs well for the price but I've not heard a phono-pre yet in the $150 range that bests the CA regardless of the source of you dislike for the company.

Just bought a Grado Red for $65. That leaves $135. Now considering the Rotel 970BX. btw, noticed the original Music Hall phono pack looks exactly like a Tonar (off-brand???) pre - not so much like the Pro-jects I've seen. My source for the MH ph1.2 recommendation notes that it's a little better than the original phono pack. Then there's the modded CA 540p up for sale now. Also (Petsound, please tune in) considering the TCC TC-760LC from phonopreamps dot com.