End Game Phono Preamp (tube)

@fastricky AT ART20, AT ART1000x, VDH Colibri Strad XGW, ZYX UNIverse III. 

Holy smokes! Your running top cartridges with an entry level phono? It’s great that you’re addressing this audio bottleneck.

I also run a variety: VDH Colibri Grand Cru, Koetsu Coralstone D, Aida Mammoth Gold MkII, Lyra Edna (bugs me that not lambda, will likely upgrade), various SPUs,Miyajima Infinity mono. Want to get to DS Audio W3 (lower noise floor) but out of budget. Maybe get when visit Japan after wife retires hopefully soon- our 24yr old triplets still on her benefits. 

I own and use two phono preamps: Allnic H-1201 tube unit (such a bargain) and the Einstein solid-state fully balanced Turntable's Choice (mono blocks, each with its own separate power supply.) They both sound very nice, even though the Einstein cost 3x the Allnic.

So many good ones to choose from - you can pick almost any reputable ones and you won't go wrong. Nuances and personal preferences are all that's going on. Why make yourself crazy? Pick one and go listen to music.

@mambacfa that is very wise guidance

I didn’t read every word in this thread, but regarding the OP’s question... without some sort of budget the questions is pointless. Not sure why Allnic is held up as the gold standard either as it is one of many in the category of high end phono stages.

Regarding what is the best, it is what sounds the best to the listener, and there are several topologies that sound really, really good. .. so all this jaw jacking from Cey and Ralph is also pointless. There is more than one way to get to excellent, so anybody who declares anything in this hobby is a definitive can be safely ignored.

I settled on an Emia MM stage with a silver SUT for several reasons.

1. I have tried a number of high end stages (Allnic, Aesthetix, VDH, and others) and of all, TO ME this one sounds  the most natural, the most engaging, 
2. I don’t have the time or the $$ to try all of the "best", and this one makes me smile every time I listen to it, so I quit searching
3. I can afford it

I think anyone who hears it will agree it sounds really , really good. They may prefer a different sound so for them it may not be the "best" .. but back to my overall point.

What is best is what the listener prefers. There has never been and there never will be a consensus best of anything in this hobby. And what @mambacfa  said

As somebody who has experienced a selection of Phonostages in Valve Input/Output - Valve Hybrid and SS. Where MC Inputs and SUT > MM Input are experienced.

I am somebody who has been quite prudent with how they achieved their audio devices over the past 30 years, has to suggest that a budget allocated for a Phonostage is best if only thought of as guidance. If a Phonostage, through demonstration, is creating a substantial impression and is an experience wanted to be maintained, if this requires extending the budget, aspiring to the Phon' is the worthwhile purchase to be made.

Remember, all New Phon's become older model Phon's with a discounted price and older model Phon's are likely to be seen as a used item sale prior to discounts being seen for the model. 

If the 'must have now' is the intention, then only good negotiation is the way to create a closed won purchase at the price that is able to be the best achieved.