How much difference does a phono preamp really make?

@ audionoobie OP

I didn’t say that the cart is the most important component.

My apologies for the confusion. I know you did not say that. But others have. The lack of logic in the idea that the cartridge is most important is what I was trying to expose. Nothing wrong with your TT & arm. Yes everything matters also. But unless you have very deep pockets you have to prioritize what upgrades are necessary sound better. I seriously doubt a better cart is going to be a big upgrade. It may be some better. But you are still going to be wondering about that phono preamp.

1st, a new cartridge,

I like Audio Technica, however I would go with the same body with the Shibata stylus and save $250.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-magnet/vm750sh

both have very strong stereo separation, 30db and tight channel balance 1 db.

I am using my ancient but still near virgin AT440ML upstairs, and got my first MC, AT33PTGII, very similar specs, main system, I love it.

Any advanced stylus shape requires very careful alignment to sound great and to avoid damage, how are your mounting/alignment skills?

The phono pre makes all the difference in the world....
Regarding the limititations to the cartridge and arms strengnths and inherently their weakness’s..
As well as its own strengths and limitations in regard to the previous’s real capailities....
Think of them as one importance in how they are relevant to each other....not how one is more relevant than the other.
The thing about the phono pre it can limit the strengths of the other two, but a good phono pre will show all their capabilities and flaws...
You don’t want the phono section to be the bottleneck if you have a good cart n arm . Conversly, if your planning a better arm or cart or both.....how will you know what they can do if the pre isn’t up to it..... this all hinges on the idea you know how and do have arm n cart properly set up.....

OP, as others have said the phono preamp makes or can make a material difference. It changed the game for me. If I didn’t jump to a good stage (Manley Chinook) I would’ve thought digital had eclipsed vinyl for good. That is not so. They are different but vinyl can be seductively mesmerizing.  

IMO the phono stage is more important then the table or the cartridge. We did an experiment a few years back using a reference phono stage and a MM basic cartridge and a JC Penny TT (I believe CEC made it for JC Penny). We were all floored by the SQ yeah some noise but it was so beautiful we all laughed when we found out the TT was labeled JC Penny. I still pull it out on occasion just to prove it to people. That was using a reference quality phono stage. Never tried it with any other one.

We also just modified a Manley Steelhead preamp/phono and the new parts we installed also made a big improvement using the same mid-level TT. So the phono to us was a much bigger improvement then the TT would have been.

Our experiences, others may feel differently.

Happy Listening.