Thanks for the replies!
I am actually just getting into vinyl. The turntable would be a VPI Scoutmaster. I am looking at pairing the Grado with either the Wright WPP-200C or the Quicksilver phono at the moment. Both are less than a thousand and are a tube based. Both are very well regarded.
I looked into the Graham Slee Era Gold V and the only way for it to work with the Grado is if I purchase the Elevator EXP along with it.
I need to stay under $1000 - which I know narrows it down. But I feel that I can get a very musical phono for this price. The Wright is really calling... heard they can be improved by tube-rolling.
I'm going to take a look at the suggestions made so far...