New preamp or up grade my cartridge and or phono amp?

These days, what we call a preamplifier is a linestage with a bunch of selectable inputs and optionally a balance, phase, or mono control. The linestage usually adds only a little gain to its input signal, which emanates from a phono stage, CDP, or other high level source. In fact, the linestage needs an attenuator to throw away excessive gain from input sources. If the linestage is passive it adds no gain at all. I think it’s no trick to make a very low distortion, wide bandwidth linestage, and linestages need not be hyper-expensive. In fact, the most important part of a linestage is a high quality attenuator.

I think it’s no trick to make a very low distortion, wide bandwidth linestage, and linestages need not be hyper-expensive.

Says the guy with a >$10k preamp, ehem.

@soix  i’m glad you mentioned the Rogue pre-amplifier. I have a down payment on the Rogue Cronos integrated M3, and intend to hook up an Ares M Il phono pre to the Cronos auxiliary.  This will give me an all tube system and allow me to hook up a second turntable to the Cronos phono input. Do you see any shortcomings going this route? I’m a straight vinyl guy, when I sold my car I stopped buying CD’s

After I get squared away with all the accessories I need for this system I’ll start thinking about streaming. Thank you for any input or suggestions you may make

@groovey I’ve only used the hybrid Rogue Medusa amp in my system so can’t opine much, but the Cronos gets great reviews so it’s a good bet you’re gonna be happy, and Rogue’s customer service is outstanding.  Unfortunately I know precisely zero about the Ares (or the Cronos’ phono section), but my strongest recommendation would be to start streaming asap with Qobuz or Tidal — it’ll literally change your life and your only regret will be that you didn’t start years ago.  Sorry I don’t have more for ya and hope all works out well with the new Rogue!

Streaming is actually something I am not interested in. I have about 850 albums on my music server. I've tried Tidal and Qobuz and barely used either one, no interest in checking out new music (I NEVER listen to the radio I have all the music I like). That being said a friend turned me to a group called "Lake Street Dive", check them out they are great(he struck out on other new stuff he wanted me to try). I even got rid of about half of my albums, I owned about 700, going through them one day I realized I was NEVER going to listen to the ones I got rid of. Now I have the ones I know I'm going to listen to(I'm one of those guys at the restaurant that orders the same thing because that's what I like).