Phono stage or pre Amp? which is most important.


Hi
I've just got back into vinyl after many years of digital music listening. Bought my myself a cheap turntable(Linn Basik, Akito arm, AT 95e Cartridge) and a project phonobox e phono stage. Just wondering how important the phono stage is compared to the amps it's going into. I know the project is only a £50 box so just wondering what next step up would be. My pre is a NAC 202 with NAPSC, Power is NAP 200, speakers CM6 s2. Is the Naim Stageline worth the money or is there a more budget friendly step up.
Cheers
thelad
I used that same Linn table/arm combo for years and never considered it "cheap". Don’t be the guy that "knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing". Regarding your question, a budget phono-pre can sound excellent so I'd go big on the main preamp for now and get a better phono-pre later.
As an ex-Naim person, the biggest improvement you can make to a Naim system is to upgrade the power supplies if possible.  I had a 202, but I don't recall if you can use a hi-cap with it.  If you can, pick one up and your whole system would be elevated.  IMO, the phono preamp is fine with your cartridge.  
You can power a Stageline from the 202 and the 202 with the 200 or a hicap or you can power a stageline directly with a hicap. I suspect a stageline N would suit an AT95 rather well being a bit on the dark side.
They're all important but Mike is right, the phono stage is sort of a first among equals. Relative to what you have the table, arm and cart are good enough that you would probably be shocked to hear how much better they are through a good phono stage.  

As far as preamps go, any time and every time value and budget comes up the answer is a good tube integrated amp. You will get far more sound quality for your money than with separates. That is the most budget friendly step up. 

Finally, most important of all is what you want from your system. I know what I want, and so I know tubes and turntables are the way to go. I know to strongly consider Benz and Koetsu while never wasting a moments thought on AT, Lyra, etc I just don't want hyper I want music. But if you want your table to sound like digital then solid state and Naim with AT will get you a lot closer than tubes and Benz. Whatever it is, know that about yourself and be realistic is the winning combination.
Last time I heard a budget Pro-Ject phono stage, I thought it was pretty bad. In fact I think the model you have is even lower than what I heard (though it was several years ago). I’d suspect even that budget AT cartridge can do much better; that current phono stage is quite possibly the weak link. Try a Hagerman Bugle 3, it’s really affordable at $185 and sounds good! That leaves money to upgrade other stuff in the meantime. Then later, you can go for a big cart & phono stage upgrade together, when you're ready.