Pre-amp newbie question

"Dedicated phono stages are better than built in ones"

I don't know how you can make an unequivocal statement like that. Also, one has to pay for the replication of a power supply, case, etc., and a built in phono sections can be very good. It depends on the designer. I much prefer the phono board in my BAT pre to the outboard models I've tried (Rogue and Dynavector.)

I agree with Daverz; whether an outboard phono stage is better than what you're using now is something you'll need to determine by listening. For example, I found the Grado phono stage to be better than the built-in stage of my LK1 preamp, but not quite as good as the phono stage in my Audio by Van Alstine OmegaStar PAT-5 (when using a Grado Green cartridge; I did end up buying a Grado PH-1 so I could try Grado's low output cartridges, which my OmegaStar lacks the flexibility to support).

The Dynavector P-75 sounded good, but no better than the built-in stage of a Linn Wakonda I was auditioning at the time (comparison made with 10X5 cartridge), and I didn't like the combination of the 10X5/P-75 as well as the less costly Grado Green/PH-1 set.

I've only heard the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II in a dealer showroom and it impressed me as a good-sounding phono stage with lots of flexibility, but I didn't compare it with anything familiar to me. If at all possible, compare it to what you're using now before making a purchasing decision.

The reason I can say it is because it is true.No preamp can have the space to to contain phono stages like the two I use , one of which weighs 75 pounds by itself and the other 50. The best phono stages are all stand alone ones, the Dynavector is better than the phono stage in my $5000 integrated amp, which was in Stereophile's Class A when it was in production. If you look at ARC, Conrad Johnson, Boulder ,Naim, etc, all their top preamps are line stages without phono stages. The Rogue and Dynavector, while good , are not among the top phono stages. My best phono stage cost over twice as much as my line stage, both originally and when I purchased them used. It is true that you can save money by having a built in phono stage and they can be quite good but the highest level of performance will be from separate stages.

I second the Ray Samuels Audio F-117 Nighthawk phono stage for $795. It's a great little unit and very easy to use and adjust from the rotary front-panel controls. You won't be disappointed...

The OP is still going to have to decide for himself how his current pre-amps phono section compares to whatever he can afford in an outboard unit. Nostrums like "separates are always better" are not practically helpful IMO, though I'm sure they move more gear.