thoughts on adding phonostage

@soix

+1

I don't think there is such a thing as a phonostage that is over kill. Get the very best you can afford. I would consider a used Audio Research, Conrad Johnson or Zesto. 

Thank you lads

ANY cartridge you use will be limited with your internal phonostage.

This Is a good buy for future cartridges and when you're ready to do a complete  makeover(table/arm)

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650248370-loaded-rogue-ares-mm-amp-mc-phono-stage-shipping-include/

You'll hear what you've been missing.

No more upgrading until you have a significantly bigger  budget.

Hi , thanks for your post. As a Rogue owner in a similar position I’ll be following your post. I currently have a RP-1 and a modded Thorens TD-160 with a Grado Prestige cartridge. I felt early on that my TT is limited by the phono stage in the RP-1. FWIT the headphone stage isn’t any better. I’m setting up a new rig next month with a Rogue Hera and a fresh modded pair of M-180 Darks. After I get a chance to listen, I’ll evaluate for a phono stage. FWIT my experience with Rogue tube gear is that upgrading the small tubes has made a noticeable difference in sound quality. I’m guessing that your new amp shipped with Psvane KT-88’s and I have some in my 180’s. What I discussed with Bill at Rogue was that the Dark upgrades now use higher quality new production tubes over NOS to replace the stock JJ’s. In playing with those and the usual NOS stuff I had a noticeable SQ improvement at a reasonable cost. I would suggest you call Rogue and talk with Bill about a signal tube change and the phono stage limits of what you have and the Rogue ( if you go that way ) phono stages. Bill is very knowledgeable and will never push an upsell . Happy Hunting , Mike B. 

Many years ago I was sold on my equipment being "separates", and that path bgan with having a separate phonostage. No sharing of powersupply with the rest of the preamp or integrated amp. I've had several really good phonostages and currently have a Conrad Johnson TEA1 S3. You can find many very good units from those ghdprentice lists above, and I will add Aesthetix, Lamm, and Modwright to that list.