Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 Integrated Amplifier / Separate Phono Preamp

From my experience the phono stage is really critical. I upgraded mine over and over, over the decades and it was not until I got to the Audio Research PH8 did it get out of the way. To put this in perspective this would be an investment level of Turntable (with Cartridge) = Phonostage = Preamp = Amp... an for that mater = DAC = Streamer in a system with the sound quality being the same for all media. You can see my system under my UsrID. 

So, in your case I would go for the very best you can afford. I'd recommend a used Audio Research, or Zesto if you can find one you can afford.

Look into this one based on the EAR 834P.

Depending on what tubes they supply you might want to pop a little more for a matched pair of 12ax7’s but you can use whatever’s supplied for the 3rd 12ax7buffer tube.

$420 assembled/shipped,

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/PH14.htm

DeKay

Schiit Skoll F$399

Mike

Hi John - 

I started out the same way with the Pro-ject DC Carbon and Ortofon Red.  

Is there anything that you are not satisfied with?  It’s easy to say replace this and that, and you can always find better than what you have, but is it worth it to you?  Tough question.

Assuming you are not having the hum problems I was having.  

I would replace the Ortofon Red if I were to start anywhere.  The Blue and Bronze are significantly and audibly better.  Then again, you wind up with cartridges that cost more than 1/2 your TT.  The phono section in your Rogue is pretty decent.  Well regarded in Herb Reichert’s Stereophile review.  He used the Ortofon Black,  

https://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-sphinx-v3-integrated-amplifier

To save some space, I landed with the Technics 1210.  I swap out cartridges from time to time (using a Goldring E4 now).  It took some time to get there, before I stopped the chasing.   I like the ability to swap out cartridges when I want.  

Rich

Yeah, replace the Red with a Blue and enjoy the improvement until you get a phono amp and cables.