According to an EE friend, also a pre designer, the hierarchy is:
1) top class phono, integrated or not (the stand-alone is also available with the line companion at a price). VERY expensive.
2) (Top) quality DIY. Cheaper in asking price, more expensive in effort.
3) All others, acording to musical taste of the moment.
Caveat: phono pre's require cables= extra expense.
I had DIY phono (tube). Cables cost 50% of phono (because I don't know how to DIY the cables whereas the DIY has excellent instructions!).
It's your call!
1) top class phono, integrated or not (the stand-alone is also available with the line companion at a price). VERY expensive.
2) (Top) quality DIY. Cheaper in asking price, more expensive in effort.
3) All others, acording to musical taste of the moment.
Caveat: phono pre's require cables= extra expense.
I had DIY phono (tube). Cables cost 50% of phono (because I don't know how to DIY the cables whereas the DIY has excellent instructions!).
It's your call!