Phono Stage, How much do I need to spend, New or used.

Might want to take a look at the Channel Island PEQ you could get in under budget including the optional outboard power supply. 

Best,
-JP

Ugh, filling the room? Never ever heard this when comparing a phono stage. Speakers? Yes. More sensitive speaker or a more powerful amp to drive existing speakers to a louder level would "fill a room". Most phono stages will work the same, amplify the tiny signal. However, some of course will provide better "quality" sound. Unless maybe the phono stage in question has adjustable gain...then yes it may play a bit louder, but I don't think that is the issue.

+1 @audioguy85

Room filling SPL(sound pressure level) is a speaker sensitivity issue, fusionout do you have a sound meter? You could measure sound pressure for both digital and analog to make accurate SPL comparison for your room if you have test media in both formats.


Dynamic range for digital vs analog, as amplitude increases so does the intensity of the sound wave or SPL goes up in dbs.

I think maybe the OP didn't communicate what he is hearing correctly. I don't think he is talking about SPL  or dynamics. Maybe he means referring more to the illusion of the soundstage filling the room? And that could just come down to the recording quality, no matter what the medium.

Again, just speculating.

Oz

Return option is recommended, especially Phono, you can read all you want, they sound this way in that system, that way in yours.

I had a highly regarded McIntosh SS C-28 Preamp, and a TT with an optional dinky built in phono preamp. I actually preferred the TT’s built in to the C28.

Then I bought my beloved McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp mx110z. Great Phono (2 inputs). I use a SUT step up transformer for MC with PASS for MM, to send all 3 of my tonearm/cartridges (MC,MM,Mono) to mx110z’s phono.

Personally, especially with return option, I suggest you try a Tube Preamp with Phono(s), which gives you options to try tubes with any or all other components that are perhaps going thru an integrated amp.

I like Vintage, eBay search just now, many with returns, including one mx110z listed. Yes those old RCA jacks need a good cleaning, true of most vintage,

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=vintage+tube+prea...