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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
petg60
1,486 posts
 
AT 95 is a nice performer and your tt combo will benefit from a better phono stage. Start there and practice your alignment skills with this cartridge. 
G
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
My experience tells $500 phono pre and $1000 preamp will be a better choice than $250 phono pre and $2000 preamp.
The difference between $500 and $250 phono pre will be considerably bigger than the diff between $1000 and $2000 preamp.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
In terms of partst:
$150 phono stage and $500 phono stage can be absolutely the same, but with different label and different box. Price is nothing in this case (in this category at least) and can’t be a guide. 
skywachr
124 posts
 
The Parasound Z-phono is a real killer in the lower price level. Also there are some vintage preamps that are known for having an exceptional phono stage. One of them is the Adcom GFP 565. Quite a performer at it's price point but with no digital inputs if that's an issue.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I think both.  If the preamp is not resolving enough, the resolution of the phono stage will not make its way through.  I upgraded a few years ago from a AyreK5xe MP Preamp to a Jeff Rowland Criterion and the sonic improvement was staggering.  I just upgraded my phono stage from an Asthetix Rhea to an Allnic H3000 and, once again, the improvement is staggering.  I wouldn't hear the improvement that I do from the Allnic through the Ayre.  
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