VAC Signature Mk IIa Preamplifier with phono?

As an owner of the VAC Signature 2a with phono I'd give a thumbs up to adding the phono. I had an Audio Research PH-7 and the VAC phono outclassed it in every way; detail, extension, musicality, naturalness, etc. I have gotten to know Kevin Hayes better over the last several years and know he favors LP playback to digital (although his first DAC still sounds better than many new DACs today) and he designed the phono stage inside the Signature 2a to please his ear! You won't be disappointed. To be sure, hang onto the Rhea, give the Signature a few hundred hours of break in and then decide for yourself. You can tube roll the phono stage too if you want to someday experiment with different presentation.

Skinzy, the Signature has a setting for MM so you'll be fine. Add the phono stage, you won't regret it.

Skinzy, since you have a low output MM, you would select the MC input selector on the phono Kevin installs and play with the ohms setting once you have it connected. Call Kevin Hayes at VAC and discuss my suggestion, but I think you will be fine. You will use the MC option so you will have a boost in output. If you ever buy a higher output cartridge, then the MM input. Good luck and happy listening.