Help with Pre-Amps

Phaseshifter.

A preamp that has a phono stage is considered a full funtion preamp. A preamp without a phono section is called a linestage. A passive preamp has no gain of its own and must be matched with a source ie phonostage or cd player with a high gain.

I have no personal experience with a passive preamp but have read they need to be matched carefully with the right source and amps. So they may not be a good first preamp unless you get good advise on what components will work well with them.

Hope this helps.

Would help to know price range to give advise on preamps to listen to.

Sean

Some pre-amps have great phono stages built in (AR-6 and more). However, most pre's that I've played with have second rate phono stages.
I'd say keep your phono stage. Try different pre-amps. I'd go with one with fewer "gadgets" will probably sound best. You need to first determine what you are looking for: Warmth, detail, tubes, solid state only, remote control...

Also, what cartridge are you using? Nice table and I'd hate to see a $99 cartridge on it. My Sota makes it very easy to tell the difference in cartridges. Also, make sure you set up the weight and tracking properly. That makes the biggest difference of all.

Sarcher30 summed up things for you nicely and I would agree with the comment about carefully pursuing a passive preamp. They are great when done right, but limiting for future changes and require careful matching. Probably not the best idea for a neophyte (as you state you are).

There are many excellent preamps in a wide range of price points. Probably the first things to do would be to:
Set budget levels
What is the amp?
What are the speakers?
Is there a specific type of sound/performance/characteristics that are most important to you?
Will you have sources other than the turntable? What?

Many of us could list off a bunch of preamps in various price ranges that can be recommended, both new and used. Obviously, you can get excellent values in used equipment - especially right now (it is amazing how low prices are going).

So instead of spuing out a bunch of loose recommendations, post as many answers as you can and then we will throw our hats/hearts and recommendations out for you.

Hello, I currently have a
Pioneer Elite C-91 pre amp.
The midrange is very nice and airy, it also has
alot of presence.
You might find 1-2 on the bay, per week.
Just be careful, the you get one with the
remote, that is, IF you want a preamp with a remote.

Wow!! Thanks for all the responses', I can tell already that you guys are going to be a big help to me. With that being said here goes;
-Dear Mrjstark-please explain to me what "Tube Rolling" is?
-Dear Sarcher30-since I have purchased a phono pre already with multiple gain chips, I should then look for a linestage pre(w/o a phono stage)-correct?
-Dear Sarcher30- between $750 and $1,000 for the pre(linestage) would be what I'm willing to spend.
-Dear Elevick-I'm a tube guy. A brief history of myself-I'm a musician(guitar player to be exact)and it's taken me roughly 20 years to get my guitar rig sounding like what I envisioned in my head if ya know what I mean. Of course I want warmth, definition, crystal clear sound stage etc. Is there a- say utilitarian linestage pre that might be a good choice until my ears have developed and I can truly discern the "flavor of the different pre's" and "hear in my head what I'm eventually looking for? Elevick as far as a cartridge I do not yet have one. Don't know what kind to look into yet. This is or should I say will be my 1st real audio set-up. Don't worry, I won't put a $99 cartridge on it I can asure you of that. I also do not have a power amp yet either, same holds true for the speakers. I'm putting this system together from scratch and so far I've only purchased the SOTA Star Sapphire, a SOTA reflex clamp and the Promitheus Audio Phono pre. Thanks much guys for all the input, I really need it but I guess I don't need to tell you guys that! Thanks in advance for your help.
Phaseshifter