The Art II is the least expensive phantom option I know of, but there may be others. For inexpensive but clean gain, try a pair of line transformers like the Hosa MIT-176 or Audio Technica SP8201 (maybe $40/pr). For inexpensive recorders, consider the JB3, iRiver, and various MD units. I believe all of those have a 1/8" stereo input, so you'll need a 2 x 1/4" > 1/8" stereo mini adapter. So, the gear over all would like like this:
SMK mics > mic cables (any inexpensive pair will do) > Art II (phantom) > Hosa MIT-176 (gain) > 2 x 1/4"-female | 1/8"-male stereo mini > recorder
The MIT-176 and CP8201 provide fixed gain, so you'll use your recorder to adjust levels. As ScottT suggested earlier, though, if you don't get enough gain out of the line transformers, there's really not much you can do except boost levels in post-production. You could replace the line transformers with an AD-20 (preamp w/o phantom and ADC), or the Art II and line transformers with a digi-mod UA5 (preamp w/ phantom and ADC) or Sound Devices MixPre or MP2 (preamp w/ phantom only). But each of those options will cost you ~$100-250 more than the Art II + line transformers.
