Newbie McIntosh Question for MX118 Pre Amp

You need to buy a phono preamp.

All is not lost. Keep the MX118. Check the listings for a
separate phono preamp and all you have to do is plug it in
to
an aux input of the MX118. If you are using a mc cartridge
make sure the phono preamp can accommodate it,if your
cartridge is a mm or high ouput mc then there is no problem.
If you don't want to buy used there are plenty of
inexpensive ones you can get.