Opinion of budget phono preamps?

Also consider the PS Audio PHONOLINK if you can find one. A very good sounding preamp on both MM and MC. Not the last word by any means, but sonically very respectable. Jallen

Another canidate to consider is the Monolithic phono preamp (PS-1) w/ or w/o the dual mono power supply. I see that the preamp + power supply is available in the a'gon classifieds for around 400. I have the PS-1 w/o the stand alone power supply, and I like it a lot. Good soundstage, a bit weak in the bass (tho apparently the the power supply helps with this). It's also very flexible in terms of what carts you can use, and it's easy to operate as well. Looks nice too, IMO.

One advantage of an outboard is you can park it close to you table and skip the ic's from table to phono, but keep in mind you may want to keep some space if the phono you get has it's power supply in the box as opposed to outboard.

I hear the Curcio is an excellent buy if you're a DIY'er...

According to an EE friend, also a pre designer, the hierarchy is:
1) top class phono, integrated or not (the stand-alone is also available with the line companion at a price). VERY expensive.
2) (Top) quality DIY. Cheaper in asking price, more expensive in effort.
3) All others, acording to musical taste of the moment.
Caveat: phono pre's require cables= extra expense.

I had DIY phono (tube). Cables cost 50% of phono (because I don't know how to DIY the cables whereas the DIY has excellent instructions!).

It's your call!