Entry Level Turntable-- Preamp Matching


I got my first turntable about 6 months ago, a Rega RP1, to kick off my new-found hi-fi habit. Next thing I got was a a Musical Fidelity V-LPS to replace the built-in phono stage on the receiver I was using.

I've upgraded to an Exposure 2010s integrated since then and got the upgrade package with Bias 2 cartridge for the RP1, but still the most noticeable upgrade in my system has been that V-LPS. No other change has opened the sound up or made as huge a difference as a new phono preamp.

So now I'm thinking, if $100 got me that big a jump, what could I get for $500? $1000? I've started poking around preamps in that range, a used PS Audio GCPH, Graham Slee Era Gold V, or Musical Surroundings Phonomena II.

So my question is, would it be foolish to get a preamp of that caliber and feed it with an upgraded RP1? They would give a lot of "growing room," which is important to me, but I plan on sticking with my RP1 for a few years yet and don't want to blow money on quality I'll never hear because my TT isn't up to it. Could something a little more modest like a Jolida JD-9A, Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 or Pro-Ject Tube Box be a better "match?"
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I can vouch for the Gram Amp, absolutely fabulous. I think the 3 is plenty for the set up you are planning on using and even do well with an upgrade. The real analog nuts may not agree but that's my story and I am sticking to it.
The Musical Fidelity V-LPS is very good. I owned the Musical Surroundings Phonomena I, and think its better. I would go for the Jolida JD-9A if it were my purchase. It can be upgraded with different tubes and mods. Plus you can probably find a used one for sale. Good luck.
I think the V-LPS could last you through the entire life cycle of your RP1. I don't think the V-LPS is truly outclassed by the RP3 or even the new RP6. I'd save the money until you're into your next complete upgrade cycle. The V-LPS holds up with everything else I've heard in the $500-1000 range including the GCPH, Tube Box, and JD-9A. (You may find you prefer a tube stage. The JD-9A sounds great and I don't know if you'll find a more versatile stage in terms of impedance matching.)
It sounds like you are pretty happy with what you have now. I wouldn't be so fast to change it. If you are listening to music, thats all that matters. One thing I will ad given your statement about the phono preamp making a big difference. You're right about that. Preamps make a huge difference, be it a line stage or phono.
Thanks for the wise words, everyone. It's true, the upgrade bug bites hard. Now, if only I had seen your comments 12 hours earlier... I ended up finding a great deal on a Phonomena II on here, checked that the seller had a return policy (he did) and I went for it.

Who knows if I'll keep it, but since this is only the second preamp I will have heard I'm excited to compare it to the V-LPS.