Phono preamp worth it with MM cartridges?


I've had conflicting advice from dealers so hoping for some clarity here. How much do phono preamps offer with sound quality and MM cartridges? (I understand they have a huge impact on sound quality with MC). 

My current setup is Rega P3/Neo/Exact/Groovetracer RS, Rega Elex-R amp, and Spendor A4 speakers and I mostly listen to classical, jazz, and light rock.

Will buying a Rega Aria phone preamp (or  iFi iPhono 3? Avid? Graham Slee? in the sub $2k range) make a worthwhile difference or should I wait till I buy an MC cartridge before splurging ? 

Thanks, Roger
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Showing 2 responses by ml8764ag

Seriously....not just bashing...but get rid of the Exact cart...literally, every other cart I’ve had (including less expensive ones) has sounded better (at least to these ears)....my opinion is that it may be handicapping everything else.

Makes me wonder how many Rega Exact purchasers have been unnecessarily turned off or left unimpressed by vinyl.

For sure though...this is just my experience/opinion....So, grain of salt...


If he has a Rega arm/table...he may need spacers, etc. ...depending on the cart.

As they tiredly say...been there, done that.