Quad 99 phono stage?

All

Am seriously consideration buying a Quad 99/909 combo for a second system.

I'd love to hear any opinions on the phono stage. Tony Cordesman gave it a solid B+, saying it was no worse than many other $500-$1000 phono stages. HArd to tell if this is a true recommendation or damning with faint praise.

In any event, I listen to more records than anything else so I'd love to spend my money on a preamp that has a better than okay phono stage.

Thanks for any responses in advance,

JC