Many years ago I was sold on my equipment being "separates", and that path bgan with having a separate phonostage. No sharing of powersupply with the rest of the preamp or integrated amp. I've had several really good phonostages and currently have a Conrad Johnson TEA1 S3. You can find many very good units from those ghdprentice lists above, and I will add Aesthetix, Lamm, and Modwright to that list.
thoughts on adding phonostage
Thinking of adding a phonostage/upgrade cartridge on current set up;
EAT b sharp turntable
rogue audio cronus magnum iii
goldenear T66 floor speakers
KimberKable ascent 8tc speaker wire and PBJ interconnect.
currently I have a ortofon bronze 2M cartridge. will upgrade to EAT jo no.5 , Hana ML or ortofon MC quintent bronze depending on best price etc. excited to actually hear the difference as i think the set up sounds pretty good right now.
question is, thoughts on phonostage? the cronus magnum iii has a built in MM/MC phonostage, woudl it be overkill? and do i pair the phono to the rogue audio, or to the EAT turntable, or can I go with another brand?