Tube Phono Stage Recommendations

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.

curious why not the EAT?

My system is all tubes, but I selected a low output moving coil cartridge for my new turntable. I selected the EAT petit due to the tube input stage and feeling that it will give me the quiet gain I need to push the cartridge output to my tube preamp and tube monoblocks. yesterday I watched the video of Sting playing his new record and I was reassured that his system was using the EAT petit (even though he can't clean a record) I still trust that Sting has a good ear and probably had his system hand selected to suit his taste. 
 

I highly recommend Zesto Andros Spirit. It's just a tad over your budget, but well worth it. Adding it into my system made a world of difference. I have a Rega P3 with Nd7 cart, Zesto Andros Spirit, and Rega Aethos. Love it

Modwright makes some very good tube phonostages with easily adjustable gain and loading with knobs on the front of the unit as opposed to annoying switches inside or on the back of the box. Most importantly they are highly recommended across the board and sound wonderful. New ones make be slightly above the $2k point, but find a gently used model.