Best Phono Stage within 2000 $

I find it interesting no one has mentioned the Heed Quasar.

Klyne 7 Phono.

Really good (MUCH better than Tron 7, all Whests, Aesthetix Rhea etc.)

Curio,
I might suggest giving the GCPH a try. With a 30 day no risk trial period I doubt there's much to lose. You might be surprised how good it is. I've had one for three years now and will upgrade at some point but I have a lot of trouble finding any Phono stage that looks like it would potentially outperform it and has anywhere near the flexibity. I guess that says something. I bought it with the intention of upgrading to something else and can't bring myself to do it. Mine has now been upgraded by the way. It's not just a money thing, I've spent plenty elsewhere in my system(may post my system with photos soon), I'm just not sure if this is an area where spending more would be worth it.

Thomasheisig: Klyne only 66 dB gain, VLOMC cartridges excluded.

Jloveys, that's 66db plus line stage which will handle any LOMC I can think of including your .2mv MC-2!