Amp without phono stage=better amp.?

nope. you've got a classic logical fallacy on your hands: post hoc ergo propter hoc. put another way: not enough premises for a syllogistic conclusion.

James: In a single manufacturers line adding a phono stage is an upcharge (you are paying for it). To compare one manufacturer to another is like comparing apples to oranges (for example an $800.00 integrated amp (let's say -w- phono) may be considered by many to be superior to a seperate amp/preamp combo (but of course -w- phono stage) that retails for $1600.00 from another manufacturer. If you are attempting to find the "sonic best" in your price range, then you will need to evaluate each piece of equipment seperatly on its own sonic merits. I agree with Cornfed, maybe - I think, I'm not sure..

Product costing is a funny business. Smaller product lines make for efficiency in inventory and production scheduling. Adding a phono stage to all (rather than carrying two lines)of their integrateds might end up saving a manufacturer money. So its fair to say that you will not be getting cheaper parts.