Looking for a tube phono pre

@jmphotography You should check out the Modwright PH9.0X stunning phono pre. I use it with my Acoustic Signature Triple X and Umami Red. It's a little more than your budget but totally worth it

@audiosaurusrex thank you, that’s one I did not have on my list, but now I certainly do.

You could buy two TRUMPET MC, give one to a friend?

The Black Ice Audio Fusion F159 is half the price of the Chinook and has electronic azimuth adjustment which the Chinook does not. Sound quality is outstanding, especially if you can't or do not know how to adjust azimuth properly, giving the F159 an advantage over any other phono stage.