Meridian IA30 phono card versus external phono amp

Rogerwalk,
I had the phono for the 565. I did not like it, it sounded very much like a CD and thats not what I wanted my records to sound like.
My 565 coverted any analog input to digital. I am not sure but I believe any analog input sent to any digital Meridian Pre/Pro is converted to digital, even your 861v4. If you are using any analog outputs on the Meridian they are converted yet again back to analog. I prefer my analog to stay that way though out. I have the Meridian G68 myself, the left and right balanced outputs from my G68 go to my ARC Ref3 that has balanced HT pass through. Any of my analog sources are sent to my Ref3 and do not go through any digital conversion.
Why have analog if it gets converted to digital?

Dear Roger: I read in wrong way your thread and maybe you are looking for a new phono stage.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Roger: I wonder the why's on this thread because you own both " sides " of your question.

My question: what do you prefer? what do you think is better?, IMHO the one option that you like it is the one to go and it does not matters what any one else thinks on the subject because you are the one that has to live with and the one that has to be satisfied.

regards and ejoy the music.
Raul.