Phono Preamp?

I have a Moon Audio Integrated 340i PX configured for phono output that I pair with a Rega 1. Curious what if anything I would gain by adding a phono preamp? Am I understanding correctly that this integrated model has a preamp already built-in?

Your amp offered a phono section as an option. So do you have one or not? Your statement above kind of contradicts itself?

If you are currently using your Rega with it, I guess you have one then. Another phono stage may or may not offer any significant improvement. Also, upgrades seldom result in huge leaps in performance but rather smaller, incremental steps. Its this last 5% in performance that we all seem to seek. So more info would really be needed to give you any kind of meaningful answer. And then only your ears would be the ultimate judge.

For all we know, your may have the ideal phono stage already for your TT and the rest of your system.

" Another phono stage may or may not offer any significant improvement. Also, upgrades seldom result in huge leaps in performance but rather smaller, incremental steps. Its this last 5% in performance that we all seem to seek. So more info would really be needed to give you any kind of meaningful answer."

Not with vinyl. You could make a better case with digital, but for records, upgrading from entry level equipment can offer huge leaps in sound quality.

"Curious what if anything I would gain by adding a phono preamp? Am I understanding correctly that this integrated model has a preamp already built-in?"

If you are currently listening to records, then you have a phono preamp. It doesn't work any other way. When you upgrade, though, you have to be careful. Not every phono preamp works with every cartridge. You need to do some research on the different types of products that are available. The differences between moving coil and moving magnet cartridges are important, as well as how to match them to a phono stage. Its not difficult material to learn, but you do need to know it before you proceed. Normally, I don't recommend magazine reviews because the info they give you can hurt as much as help, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to read some reviews on analog gear. After a little reading, you should start to get a feel for how the different pieces go together.

+1 Zd. What is to be gained depends on what one seeks to gain.

What arm and cartridge are you using, and do you plan on upgrading either of those in the near future? With at least that information, some suggestions could be made.

Best,
Mike

Looking at the internal photo of your amp it appears you already have a phono stage with 'guts' similar to most $1K (or more) external units.
I wouldn't under-rate what you have.

I've got plugin phono cards for my Rowland preamp which offer outrageously good sound for their meager price ($400 option).

Don't part with any money before you compare to what you have (in your system if possible).

+1 Tobes. Well said.

Ditto...5k intergrated should have an excellent phono preamp...if anything the Rega 1 is probably the weak link.

"01-11-15: Phasecorrect
Ditto...5k intergrated should have an excellent phono preamp...if anything the Rega 1 is probably the weak link."

Just in case I wasn't clear in my first post, that's the point I was trying to make. Don't limit an upgrade to just a phono preamp. Something else, such as a new cartridge, may be a better option.