Updating is the key.
Many phono stages are excellent at the time they were created but become dated as progress is made in circuit design. Unless your unit has the capability of changing out circuit boards to update, eventually whatever you have will no longer be state of the art.
Until then, why not be happy with what you have, and whenever you get restless about what you have no longer being au courant, either seek a new board from the amp manufacturer or look for a better sounding separate unit.
My 3rd system has a Classe preamp with twin phono boards on board. Good, but not as good as later separate units (I still use a Vendetta and the Mares was very rare and very highly regarded even today).
I have yet to find a CTC Blowtorch phono for sale.....
Many phono stages are excellent at the time they were created but become dated as progress is made in circuit design. Unless your unit has the capability of changing out circuit boards to update, eventually whatever you have will no longer be state of the art.
Until then, why not be happy with what you have, and whenever you get restless about what you have no longer being au courant, either seek a new board from the amp manufacturer or look for a better sounding separate unit.
My 3rd system has a Classe preamp with twin phono boards on board. Good, but not as good as later separate units (I still use a Vendetta and the Mares was very rare and very highly regarded even today).
I have yet to find a CTC Blowtorch phono for sale.....