You should be able to use the Denon Reciever as a preamp only. If there is a preamp out (or line out) of the Denon… then you plug the phono stage into the Denon and the preamp out from the Denon into the amp.
We all started with modest systems at one time… well, at least most of us.
When I first heard of Schiit I was dead set against even considering any of their equipment. But a few years ago I was helping a friend put together a modest system and was unable to avoid the name. They have made a real mark by making budget gear with very high performance for the money. I ended up with a couple pieces and my friend ended up with a Yggdrasil DAC… very excellent performance for the money.