I would listen to as many systems as possible before going any further with ANY decision. Since you have started with a good front end, I would now find what speakers you like. I would not listen to what the rags or anyone has to say.Listen,but be your own man and decide for yourself.If there is a audiophile group/club in your area;get involved. Unless you live near Chicago,New York or San Fran.,there are few boutiques that have good selections for you to listen to, so get in a club and go listen to others systems.Whatever speakers you go with will determine what amps to go with.I do not agree (respectfully)with the statement of buying a linestage because you have a phono pre already.I would buy a full featured preamp, so you can have the flexibility of using a step-up transformer (SUT)with a tube mm phono input.You can always plug your phono pre into one of the line stages at first and experiment later. The "gain chips" you speak of are probably load settings, not gain settings.This is for optimizing a low output moving coil(lomc) cartridge load.
The speaker choice is critical.If you get something very efficient it will allow you to go for amps that a less efficient speaker won't work with.
The audio "chain" symmetry is REALLY important.Not all amps work with all speakers, not all amps work well with all preamps.So you see, the speakers will determine the rest of the chain.
Some would argue,that the speakers and the cartridge will be the biggest influence in the sound and character of your system. This is why I stress to get out there and listen. Reading about sonics is almost useless.Until you experience a lot of different systems, you won't understand what the rags and other audiophiles are talking about.
I am sure a lot of what you read is confusing. It is.
Do your homework, but listen, listen,listen.
Lastly I would say that expensive doesn't mean good,especially with things like cables.This hobby has a lot of smoke and mirrors,flim flam and will prey on someone with no experience and a fat wallet. If a ad or review sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
