Anything phono, it is ’preferred’ not ’better’, thus I always encourage having full return/money back option.
Think long, have some flexibility for future cartridges.
Research, opinions, reviews, I tried and returned several respected phono stages, until I finally found keepers for my main system and office system.
Main is SUT (with Pass for MM) to Tube Preamp’s MM Phono. Fidelity Research FRT-4 to McIntosh mx110z
Office is built-in MM or MC (single 100 ohm setting) in little Luxman Tube Integrated SQ-N150
It is always good to have a likeable base unit, to keep listening if problems occur, I compared everything to this $15. unit, and several of my friends have borrowed it during repairs/changes of their systems, to help evaluate. It’s in-line design lets it fit behind anything.
Relativity: I always remember, I had an AT120 TT into McIntosh C28 Preamp. I preferred the sound of the dinky switchable RIAA card in the TT to the Preamp's MM Stage