thoughts on adding phonostage

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.

Thanks for post I will be calling Bill at rogue. I did not splurge on the dark version and have the stock kt-88s.  i have been reading alot about low output and high output MC, i think i'm upgrading to Hana MH.  I feel like pairing amp with a tube phono may make the over all system too warm, if thats a thing...but isnt that what drew me to a tube amp to begin with?  this audiophile business is such a slippery rabbit hole!  fun

Do what @buellrider97 suggested.  

I have an RP-1 with a Rega P6 and Ania Pro Cart.  I called up Rogue and got the dip settings they suggested to match the Ania (there was a chart but I wanted to make sure).  Upgraded the RP-1 tubes to Matched Mullards from Andy's tube services.   Later a tried a MOON 110LP from my LD.  After as critical a listening session as my old ass ears could pull off , The MOON sounded no better than the RP-1.  So back to the LD it went. 

Given what you’re looking for my mind immediately went to the Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono pre.  I reviewed their B2B-100 amp that was outstanding and also had the qualities you’re looking for, and I think this review captures their sonic house sound and the phono pre’s character well (there are also a couple Stereophile reviews).

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue52/liberty.htm

They sell direct so you’re getting a lot of quality for the $ from one of the top minds in audio (Peter Noerbaek of PBN Audio), and I believe they offer a 14-day trial period.  Just one idea FWIW, and best of luck.