Knowing only the TT and cart combination first-hand, I would still say spend on the preamp and phono stage now, upgrade downstream later.
Have to agree with 4musica44107, that is a seriously nice system you are building, one I'd love to hear. IMHO you'll have the best time now with the bucks concentrated at the source. It's just more fun to listen that way than the other way round, and that TT can deliver as much fun as you let it.
Have to agree with 4musica44107, that is a seriously nice system you are building, one I'd love to hear. IMHO you'll have the best time now with the bucks concentrated at the source. It's just more fun to listen that way than the other way round, and that TT can deliver as much fun as you let it.