Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration

For the record, what millercarbon actually said, word for word:

Another one you may like, the EAR 834P which if you really do want warm and woody can’t imagine how you do better than a vintage (mid-90’s) EAR.

I seem to be getting forgetful in my old age, maybe someone will remind me- exactly when in the mid-90's was 2015??

There's a reason by the way for specifying mid-90's. That was the year I heard. No idea what subsequent years sounded like. Just so as to not leave that one in doubt millercarbon also wrote, in the same post no less:

Don’t know about the newer ones, but the ones back around 1995 were warm as a goose down blanket.

I'm a little foggy. Seems to me 2015 was a good 20 years later?

Long time readers will know my disdain verging on disgust for the truly appalling lack of reading comprehension. Which sometimes is so bad- one time I said THREE TIMES "not saying these speakers are perfect" only to be told again and again each time by the same inept reader that I said they were perfect. So either its third grade (if that) reading level, severe mental (oh wait we're not supposed to use the R-word) underdevelopment, or plain old stubborn disregard for the facts.

Any way you slice it, what point can there possibly be in trying to converse with such a one? All we have are words, which they have a proven inability to comprehend. Also if you do try and buck the odds and converse what is going to happen other than one misunderstanding after another? Like Forrest Gump, minus the charm. Simple Jack. Good for a gag in Tropic Thunder, but come on, man!

But if on the other hand you explain what is going on and why- you are being ignored because you are insulting and have nothing to contribute (the "and" is deliberate) well then isn't that the most merciful thing possible all around? This way if Simple Jack keeps going, well, there's that lack of reading comprehension again. Not like he wasn't told. Just didn't understand. Again.

Uh, the world where you have to find stuff in order to buy it? No? How about the world where 20 year old components sell for a fraction of what they cost new? Still no? How about the world where insulting smart alecks with nothing positive to contribute get cut off and ignored permanently?

Sorry. That last one was not really a question. As you will now experience.

Hope it was worth it to you.

Lol! Hey all I did was read what you wrote!

Maybe it’s because the Charisma has a wooden body but it has more of a warmth and vintage coloration to its tonality that I like.

Got a feeling you might really like the ARC PH3SE. Mine had a nice warm sound that did have a woody tone to it, but only in retrospect when compared to the Herron. I home auditioned a lot of phono stages before buying the ARC. It did not sound colored compared to those. It did have more warmth than most.

Another one you may like, the EAR 834P which if you really do want warm and woody can’t imagine how you do better than a vintage (mid-90’s) EAR.

The EAR is one of those that has just enough detail, but not in your face it draws you in, which may be just the thing for you. Don’t know about the newer ones, but the ones back around 1995 were warm as a goose down blanket.

The 834 would also be a steal, after all this time probably only a couple hundred bucks. If you can find one. 

Good idea. But note the Decware SUT uses infinitely adjustable loading - on the fly - simply turn the knob.

Yes the SUT is more or less essential. I've never been into them but this Decware design is integral and using theirs, exchange program even, its an interesting solution. Seriously considering trying one, and I have a Herron which is a fantastic phono stage, just not a pure tube let alone SET zero negative feedback passive design.

Two options. One cheap, the other still within your budget. Cheap one, Audio Research PH3SE. Had one well over 20 years, has all the qualities you want. Specifically the warm woody tone with good extension. The warm woody tone is very slight. Did not even think it was there at all until going to my current Herron which is in every way far superior, but unsuitable for you since you ruled out superior in favor of colored. A little over budget anyway.  

Within budget, Decware ZP3 which even with their SUT is still well within your budget. https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm This should give you everything you want, and then some. oldhvymec has one on order so check back in a few he will probably have some good news to report.