I agree that it is not so much a matter of "what is more important" but more of a matter of matchinc components. The amp must be matched to the speaker and the phonostage to the cartridge. There are plenty of fantastic amps, but only when the amp is matched to an appropriate speaker. I own a very good amp, but, it can only put out 6 watts per channel (plenty, given my speaker). Sure, I could match the speaker with more powerful amps, but, I haven't heard many high powered amps that sound as good. If I happened to like a pair of speakers that needs more power, then, my choice, by necessity would be different.
On a gross level, the phonostage should match the particular choice of cartrige as far as the amount of gain needed. Beyond that, it it like any other component--one must just try different things to determine what matches ones taste and priorities.
If I were building a system, I would concentrate with finding the speaker that I really love (speakers make the biggest difference in sound quality), then I would find an amp that works with that particular speaker. That would then give me the foundation of a good system to which I could add/improve with better upstream components.
On a gross level, the phonostage should match the particular choice of cartrige as far as the amount of gain needed. Beyond that, it it like any other component--one must just try different things to determine what matches ones taste and priorities.
If I were building a system, I would concentrate with finding the speaker that I really love (speakers make the biggest difference in sound quality), then I would find an amp that works with that particular speaker. That would then give me the foundation of a good system to which I could add/improve with better upstream components.