Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

I apologize for beating this topic to death, but yesterday I dealer demo-ed the CAT SL1 Renaissance with built-in Phono.

I was wondering how the Coincident Phono compares to this pre-amp.
The CAT was unbelievable. Blew my mind.

Would the Coincident Phono + Coincident Dragon
beat
CAT SL1 Preamp + Coincident Dragon.

If they are both close I would prefer the Coincident for sure.

Basically I am trying to understand if after buying the Coincident Phono, will i have to splurge on a World class pre-amp to get the best performance.

Those are two superb choices and it would simply be a matter of one's opinion. But it would be best to form an opinion after prolonged audition in one's own system. Nothing else counts.

Essrand- I have not compared the CAT to the Coincident, but you have introduced an active pre-amp into the equation. To my ears, the influence of a top notch active line stage on the overall sound of a system cannot be overstated. I believe that it is the "heart" of the system. Just my opinion. Which is not to say that I don't think that my LSA passive is not one of, if not the best bargain in audiol. Flame away everyone. I've got my asbestos tightie-whites on.

I kind of like an active linestage, myself.
I think the OP has one, but I am not sure it is up to the level of excellence of the Statement.

Echoing Raul (and Nietzsche): you can't fly into flying. As someone with no more than one record, you understandably have more questions than answers. But, as Lewm suggested, the only way to get satisfactory answers is to listen to different components in your own system for a goodly amount of time.

IMO, given where you are and given that you don't have unlimited resources, the most salient consideration is resale value. You have 2 world class options; just pick the one that 'guarantees' you won't lose money. That way you can start the game and enjoy that record of yours, and rest assured that should you want to change it up you won't sink further into debt. If both meet that condition, flip a coin.