Help - Turntable with phono stage needed (Cheap)

My son (20) wants to get his girlfriend an entry level turntable for their 2 year anniversary (apparently she was fascinated by my album collection). I remember reading here about a turntable with a built in phono stage that was fairly in-expensive. Can anyone give me some recommendations? $200 budget - and this may NOT lead anywhere (i'm looking for a starter for an interested party).

 

Isn't there a recent Sony with the pre built in?

 

I can't say how good it is, but Tower Records has a model here by the checkstand for around that price or less with a preamp in it. Heck I think it may have a small amp and speaker as well. Kind of odd considering they don't seem to have any vinyl anymore.

 

Something like this, maybe?

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=42-7012

 

How about any turntable he likes within his budget and the $25 preamp from Radio Shack? I've read good things about it, for its price (and from what I've seen it should be small enough to tuck behind the turntable and forget about it).

 

ART makes a pretty cool turntable pre-amp called the "Dee Jay" if you need to go that route.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/180616/

 

KABUSA offers a decent basic Technics Belt Drive w/ preamp included in package SL-BD20P.....

http://www.kabusa.com/ttables.htm

Alternatively, you could find the same SL-BD20 much cheaper using 'Froogle' and buy a seperate pre-amp, maybe a better quality one.

 

Project Debut has built in phono stage.

As ever for entry level TT I'd get a Rega 2 with a NAD phono stage.

Tim

 

I believe Denon makes a model you can buy at j&r's for $150.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3958795