I am using a spectral DMC 12 as a dedicated outboard phono preamp. It used to be my full function preamp until I got a DMC30 SL. The phono section of the DMC 12 sounds pretty good, but not as good as the phono section in the DMC 20. If you're going to do the updgrade, I would go right to the DMC 20 and skip the DMC 12. Spectral is eventually supposed to come out with a SOTA dedicated phono stage which might be worth waiting for. I'm kind of hanging out for that myself.
Just my 2 cents worth... Hope it helps with your decision.
Just my 2 cents worth... Hope it helps with your decision.