Interconnect recommendations

Try an offering from Signal Cable. I use one of their Silver Resolution phono cables and find it very satisfying. It's the only silver cable I've tried that isn't tizzy sounding in mt analog rig. As always, YMMV.

Tpreaves +1
I also own their Silver Resolution and it is very good.

Zu Mission phono IC. Direct from Zu under your price target. Sometimes on Zu's EBay store for even less.

I would check to see if you can still get Black Mountain Pinnacle ICs. I am using them for both my analog and digital front ends and I prefer them to some much more expensive ICs that I own. They seem to be extrememly well balanced and just plain musical. They sound good.

I'm a bit biased because the manufacturer is a friend, but Tel-Wire makes very good cables.

I am reminded of Reuben Mattus who was the founder of the ice cream company, Häagen-Dazs. Someone once asked his secret for making ice cream. His response was a simple one, "Use good stuff." Tel-Wire uses good stuff. :)