What's more important: phono stage or amp

Ok, I'll try to be serious. If you don't have a phono stage you can't get much sound from a cartridge. If you don't have an amp it doesn't really matter if you have a phono stage or not. So the question you are really wanting to ask is, which component can I compromise on? I think the answer is intuitive, but the choice is yours.

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I don't think the intent was dumb, it just wasn't phrased very well. My take.... he is asking if you have to compromise something since most of us can't afford the best of everything, where should you focus your resources? My only problem is his scope is too limited, why just the amp and phono stage?

Of course Al is correct on the weakest link, but If you are building a system from the ground up you have to start somewhere and if you don't want to keep replacing everything you must start with the speakers. They are the most colored so you have to find a pair that you like. That dictates what type of amp you need and that dictates what type of preamp you need. If you started with a neutral sounding source then you can start to fine tune things.

I pity those who are just starting out in this hobby. When I started I had several dealers I could visit and fortunately they took the time to educate me enough to get started. Those stores are all gone now. My system is pretty well done and I've been around long enough not to need their help, but I don't see how the newbies can navigate the maze unless they latch unto an old timer.

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I suppose I chose phono preamp from two available choices because I believe that it is harder to deal with small signals and amplify them greatly than to deal with higher level signals which get boosted less. But it is all interrelated, so yes, its only as good as its weakest link

Always these decisions, decisions...they'll ruin the day. Try to go the simple way, buy a cheap MM cartridge, these can be used even with the worst Phono Stages with a satisfying result (lots of Audiophiles here like MM) and go for an amp which will drive your speakers with ease.

It's ALL important, system, system, system. Say it over and over again until these sort of questions simply go away.