Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

I had a Fosgate Signature ll a few years ago, and I thought it sounded very good. All tube (including the rectifier), and the cool thing is that it was designed to create the biggest sonic difference by changing one tube - in the V3 position. All the tubes affect the sound, of course, but I remember putting a a good vintage Telefunken in that position, and being so pleased with the increase in sound quality.

Anyway, you see them in your price range from time-to-time. 

David

Manley "Chinook".

Before you get inundated with overly technical suggestions/advice like your last post,

the suggestion of dtorc is a good one, but maybe a unicorn. I too used one for a good while, comparing side by side with a few other tube units of its time, and it was competitive with pricier units. Probably one of the few true all tube units you’ll find for a reasonable price.

Check USAudiomart.com regularly for that one.

A used Chinook would be easier to find and just as pleasing as the Foz. Subjectively not as organic sounding as the Foz.

New, the Hagerman seems to get the thumbs up for most everyone who has it.

Whatever you get, you should hear a significant difference in sound presentation.
"Decware ZP3 (Looks like a real hardcore tube phono stage)"  It’s only a MM unit so....

You would actually use the step-up transformer you thought you needed in you last thread for that one, likely end up spending more than planned. Flip side is it could be your last(keeper) and follow a significant table/cart upgrade.

@jay73 looked at your system. Very nice!

when considering a tube phono stage please keep in mind you have a low output MC cartridge. Old school tube equipment could be noisy and pushing it with high gain requirements of LOMC will potentially make it too noisy. On the other hand modern tube equipment is very quiet but doesn’t really give you that classic tube sound in some cases. 
Add Rogue Ares to the list. I was watching Huff’s review of Black Ice phono stages and I gathered they’re quiet but not your classic tube sound. 
 

If you are looking for that classic tube goodness then what @tablejockey recommended with SUT is the way to go. 
 

What I would recommend? Spend the $2000 on a cartridge upgrade. Most likely a better path forward. 

I agree with @tablejockey you are far more likely to be happy with a MM only phono stage in your price range.  Then later add an SUT if you want to delve into low output cartridges.  I am now coming full circle on that, however, rediscovering how very good MM cartridges can be.  But that is a different discussion for a different day.