Older Yamaha av receiver with phono.....

Is this a trick question PC? Given that you've offered advice regarding a phono pre and a table here in the past, and given the statement below, I'd be surprised of a turn toward analog and such unfamiliarity with the direction to go. ;-)

PhasecorrectProclamation

If serious, I can tell you this. I had three different Yamaha receivers from the 70's and all had decent, but not stellar, phono stages - better, however, than many other receiver brands like Pioneer, Sony, and Kenwood IMHO. Rwwear is correct in that there will be gain enough only for a MM or very high output MC cartridge (and no loading option). If the intent is just to dabble, the Yamaha is certainly serviceable. It can, however, be bested without spending a good deal more.

Zorgee, depends highly on what you want to spend. There are others who can probably give a lot more options in this regard, but I know of a few (speaking only to those I have heard myself).

On the relatively lower end there is the NAD PP-2 which can be had for about $125 used. There are the Creek OBH-8 (MM) and OBH-9 (MC) for a bit more and they are very good for the money.

Going up a bit to $500-700 there is the Lehmann Black Cube (which is very versatile), the Graham Slee, and one that I think is just super for the dough, the Dynavector P-75 (around $600).

I'm sure others will pipe in with resepct ot others I haven't heard like the Phonomena, etc.