Tube preamp with or without phono stage?


I’m looking to add a preamp to my two channel system. Currently I’m using an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 as the pre fed by a Simaudio Moon 110LP as the phonostage. My amp’s a Benchmark AHB-2 and speakers are Paradigm Persona 3F. The Personas and Benchmark are recent purchases and I’m rebuilding backwards. I’ve been targeting a clear, detailed, neutral and dimensional soundstage. Very low noise and distortion.

I’d now like to add a tube preamp and have a few questions. What are the pros and cons of the phonostage built into the pre vs as a separate? My amp only has balanced in’s but I can use an XLR to RCA adapter if necessary, are there any concerns with using the adapter? Finally, any recommendations up to about $3-5k with some flexibility?

Thanks
jszei

Showing 2 responses by jmcgrogan2

Do you think an external phono stage will diminish the sound quality by requiring additional interfaces and set of cables?

No. I have found quite the opposite to be true.
A separate phono stage, with it's larger, isolated power supply, and gain/loading options, has always seemed to out-perform any on-board phono stage that I've tried.
@atmasphere do you work for Atma-Sphere or is it a naming coincidence? 

LOL! @jszei, meet  Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere.
He has been a very valuable asset on these forums for many, many years now.

Ralph doesn't just work for Atma-Sphere, he IS Atma-Sphere!!

Cheers,
John