Next step: preamp or phono preamp

@hifiman5 unfortunately, the tube pre I’m getting at some point doesn’t have that option.

@mesch thanks. I am getting a tube pre by the same manufacturer and the phonostage will be as well. Things sound surprisingly good with the Schiit so I wondered if going with the phono now would be the way to go.

@mesch My Loungle is going right into the SYS and it works good. I don't have anything to compare it to other than I have to run it louder than my digital source (loud is 12 o'clock vs 10 o'clock on my digital source).

As I said, I know what components I'm getting, I'm just not sure in what order, as these will be bought individually. Like, I'm afraid that upgrading the table and cart wouldn't yield a bunch of difference until the new phonostage comes in, conversely having a good phonostage and the 2M Blue might be a drawback.

@glennewdick I already have the preamp and phonostage picked out. The preamp will be a tube preamp, the phono is solid state.

My question is order of purchase, not what to purchase.

Oops, I thought I did. My bad.

tube preamp: Odyssey Candela
phonostage: Odyssey Suspiro

current amp: Odyssey Khartago with a few upgrades.
current phono: Lounge LCR MKIII
current table: PROJECT DC + 2M Blue

@mesch currently running Focal 807v’s. I like them but agree with the Stereophile review where he noted the tweeter can get trashy. If there was a beryllium tweeter upgrade I might pursue that. 

The speakers I have been saving for last as, after next year, I’ll be continuously downsizing to a studio apt and possibly a tiny house. So I wanted to have a good idea what I wanted to get and then see where I land to make sure it’s something that will fit. 

Odyssey has the Kismet Monitors which I’d love to hear but at $3700 I’m not sure I want to spend that much. But who knows.

@mesch thank you. Yes. Other than some (~25%) records having “shouty” upper mids, the sound is good. Already a big step up from the Marantz integrated I’m upgrading from.

‘Table wise I’m looking at used VPI Scouts and those will be the most I’ve spent on any single piece most likely. I’m considering a couple other tables (Polytable, Marantz T51)  but as this is my endgame system I don’t want to regret any purchases because I’m impatient. I have no experience with any table other than my PDC but the Scouts turn me on and will be a deep pool to dive into.

This had been my thinking lately too so your words ring true for me. I think the table will be next.

@mesch thanks. Yeah that’s why I went separates so that I could buy individually and (try to) take my time and do it right. Most tables will be a good step up from the PDC but it’s been
rock solid for me. 

As for the Khartago, it’s fantastic and exceeded all my expectations. I have the stereo version and can see possibly sending back to have more upgrades done and then be done with it.

Somehow, in spite of myself, I’ve actually done well on my planning and research.