which older /used preamp for phono stage ???

I vote the ARC SP-8 but it only supports MM

Be careful with phono. The vintage ones simply don't have enough gain and many aren't switchable MM/MC. Stuff from after 1970 should be more flexible.

Elevick makes a very good point, particularly in light of the many fine low output cartridges around these days. I owned a Marantz 3650 once that had a pretty damn good phono section and allowed for MM and MC. Might be worth nosing around for one if you want to go that route.

Opinions on the 3650 to be used today?

Hello
I would look for a Tandberg 3012 intergrated or any of the Tandberg 3002, 3008, or the flagship 3016. They have both MC and MM stages and were renouned for there analog sound.

Cheers,
Francesco.

PS- I run a Tandberg 3008A with a Rega P25 and a Micro Benz Ace. Sounds beautiful

Audible Illusions M3A is one of the better pre-amps around, plus it has the "standard" phono section for MM and the "Gold Board" upgrade for cartridges which have less than one mV of output.

What's the rest of the system your working with- table, cart, amp, speakers? What's your budget? What kind of music? What are you trying to accomplish with the addition of a pre- upgrade, just play some records, etc.?

Regards
Jim