Need advice with a phono stage for my BAT VK-50...

Decide on what cartridge you will you first and then match a phono stage to the cartridge's requirements. Doing it this way has the potential of lowering your cost by eliminating phono functions that you don't need. You'll want to match the gain and impedance between the cartridge and the phono stage. I believe BAT makes an internal phono board(s) that will plug into your preamp. Alternatively, there are any number of outboard phono stages starting out $150 up to your budget limit. Just be sure to include the cost of additional interconnects, power cords and isolation devices as part of the outboard stage's cost.

prehistoric. The only number I can find on the cartridge is 401. I assume I will be changing that first. So, it looks like I need a cartridge and a phono stage. This is unchartered territory for me.

Sorry, I didn't enter the above response correctly. I meant that my cartridge is a prehistoric (15-year-old) Audioquest that I haven't used in years.

Contact Lloyd Walker at 610-666-6087.He has a modified AHT unit.Very quiet,throws a huge soundstage.It will accept cartridges down to .2mv.His reputation for good sound proceeds him and he is very helpful.

FYI, the VK50 won't take BAT's phono cards. It's only for their other preamps, not the 50, 50se or 51se.

I had a VK50se now it's a 51se. I've used a BAT VKp5, p10, p10se (have now) as well as a Aestheitix Rhea. For the money, the BAT VKp5 is a steal. It's the price performer in the phono stage lineup from BAT. You can find them used for around 1200. Slightly more than your budget. Most medium output moving coils (.5 mv or so) will do awesome. Of course, so will MM. The BAT will have a super midrange, pretty much shares every trait you likely love about your vk50.

If you cartridge is that old, it's time for a new one.

WARNING. Be prepared. With your table, a new cartridge and a VKp5, you might seriously get into vinyl. If you can somehow swing the p5 and good cartrdge-you'll be in heaven.

Good luck