I put the tonearm first, not for sound quality, but for reliability and ease of adjustment. I built my own turntable using a thread powered external DC motor and a sandwiched bolted together pair of 1/4" thick pieces of transparent florescent green acrylic sheets I cut to shape on a band saw. They are tightly bolted together and they are screw-adjustable in a garnet plate sitting on vibration isolating hemispheres. I have a premium spindle ceramic bearing and a large acrylic platter from spare parts. This is simple so it can be fourth. The cartridge is second because it is critical. I use a moving magnet Ortofon Black cartridge because I do not accept the way moving coil cartridges cannot be repaired after they wear out in about 1000 hours of use and cost so much that it makes playing records cost more than a streaming service. Third is a simple vacuum tube phono preamp and cables that make a reliable connection that sounds best when the pins make a clean contact.
Develop a hierarchy for phono playback
I am hoping we can form a consensus on the relative importance of each element. I will start by listing them in physical order starting at the record.
1. Cartridge
2. Wires
3. Arm
4. Turntable
5. Connecting cables
6. Phono Stage
7. Optional SUT and additional connecting cables
I thought about this two ways: How might these elements be prioritized for someone just starting out? Or, how might the elements be prioritized differently where cost is less important than best SQ?