Recommend a good budget phono pre

I've pretty much achieved the 2-channel system I enjoy for my CD collection at this point, now thinking about dabbling in some vinyl again. Still have the turntable I had when I decided to go all in on digital back in the early 90s, a Sony PS-X800 Linear Biotracer, and it appears to still work OK mechanically, which is good because I know these get finicky when they get old with all the tiny wires for the servos getting brittle. I know the Shure V15 type IV needs a stylus, and that looks like it may be a bit pricey.

Divested myself of all my vinyl many years ago but I know they went to good homes. I expect to still mostly listen to digital, maybe will just buy a few of my fave albums on vinyl again, so I don't want to spend a whole lot on this project for now (we all know that could change LOL). Previous preamps all have had phono stages, but with the Freya now I'll need to buy a separate. Schiit Mani seems the obvious choice given the rest of my system, but there is certainly a large selection to choose from so just looking for opinions on alternative choices in the same price range.

Any thoughts from the good folks here are always appreciated. TIA!

 

I have a Schiit Mani and it does a superb job with my Zu Audio/Denon DL-103.
I think you need to spend a good bit more money to out perform the Mani.

 

Schiit Mani & Uturn Pluto are cheap "out of the box" options. You can even listen to needle drops on Analog Planet of the two. There was a vote, and from memory 2 out of 3 perfered Pluto. EDIT: Needledrops & Results

My recommendation would be a TC-750, about $50 on Amazon. Can mod it, very easily, replace a couple caps and a linear power supply, which adds a bit to total price, but still in striking distance of the Schiit and Uturn. There is a thread on modding it here.

Two last options, that costs a but more, but gets good reviews would be the Mobile Fidelity Studio Phono for $300 or so new and the Cambridge Audio CP2 which Shaizada said was awesome phono to pair with MM carts for $200 or so (LINK TO POST).

 

Note though that was the older Mani; people here have said the current one is quite an upgrade.

 

@Kernel Kurtz if you're still looking - the CP2 @JoshMorr mentions above is currently on sale at Parts Connexion for $CAD230 incl. shipping:

https://www.partsconnexion.com/CAMBRDG-83754.html