Is it really the Champion?

I'm jumping back into vinyl. Considering Clearaudio Champion or Champion Level II with Rega, VPI Aries, or Music Hall 7 (the value option). Kuzma has also been highly recommended. At this point, I'm probably adding the McCormack phono stage module to my preamp rather than going with a separate box and thus the need for another IC. This is all quite new to me after 20 years away from vinyl. Suggestions and opinions?

I have read several of the recent threads in this forum, including "Analog newby question."

System is: McCormack DNA225, McC RLD-1 (no phono stage yet), Magnepan 1.6QR, Rotel CD971 (to upgrade). MacWire ICs, Kimber 8TC speaker wire.