another rookie question - preamp or or power amp

@curiousjim 

Wow. Exactly, Thank you!

I have been looking at the different combinations and wondered why some integrateds have the main input and the preamp our and then connected with a dongle vs. just the preamp. That's how ignorant I am. I don't have a main in.

@grislybutter

Unfortunately, upgrading "one tiny step at a time" is not a strategy that is likely to keep you satisfied in the long run. I dare say, everyone here, at some point, has experienced situations when we wanted to upgrade but simply couldn’t afford to spend what it would take to make a real improvement. 

It’s not clear to me which aspects of your system’s presentation you’re seeking to improve. If you simply must spend that $400 now, it’s possible a power cord upgrade or vibration control could yield some noticeable benefit, depending upon what your goal is.

Preamp has controls, sometimes a phono stage, sends line level.
Power amp takes line level and ramps it up to speaker level.

You need both, though they may be combined in one chassis (integrated amplifier).

@stuartk I understand. Given how "budget" my current amp is, it could be an improvement though - or so I thought.

I already have had a lot of help here and I think I will be on the right track. 

@grislybutter

I already have had a lot of help here and I think I will be on the right track.

Best of luck, then, moving forward!