budget split between cart and phono stage

Depends on how big the budget is.

I think there are some terrific phono stages out there for $500-$700 (i.e. Phonomena, Lehmann, etc.)

There are several outstanding cartridges in the $450 - $800 range, like ClearAudio, Benz, etc.

What is your total budget?

Cartridges are transducers, like speakers and microphones, so their sonic variations tend to be much greater than electronics. My advice would be to find a cartridge you like, and use whatever money you have left to buy a phono stage, rather than going in with a preordained ratio.

At the cheaper end I would go for 50-50. e.g. $100 on cartridge, 100 on phono. I don't have any experience on the more expensive stuff (>$150).
E.g. rega super bias - creek OBH8
audio technica at-95 - project/NAD phono. (even cheaper !)
Sorry for cluttering the thread if you're batting way above this level.

My total budget would be around 900 USD.
In fact I am focussing on a small idea in coupling a Denon 103 with a Phonomena. Would you also consider a ear834 or due to its tubes better not to get it with MC's ??
Tks