Last year I bought a second hand VPI TNT III turntable with graham 2.2 tonearm( 3000 $ with VPI stand and SDS !).
Totaly ignorant about how vinyl sounds compare to CD and SACD, having a system composed of Audio Research LS 25 linestage, VT 100 amp, esoteric DV 50 digital and Martin Logan Ascent i speakers, I decided to buy a MC 275 because it has (beside excellent reputation) gain control and with a Jan Allaerts MC 1 MKII cartridge and graham slee elevator+era gold V direct in the MC 275
the sound is so pure and detailled that I don't listen to digital any more !
The sound through the ARC preamp is much less accurate.
So my advice is to avoid any linestage and to connect your phonostage directly
to the amp, and the MC 275 does a marvelous job with Graham slee phono pre for a reasonable price ( 3500 $ + 1500 $)
Now I have a nice collection of 2000 LP jazz and don't spend any more money in hardware upgrading, the only backside is that I became a Vinyl addict !!!
Cheers to you all from Brussels!
Jean