Will a phono pre-amp make a substantial difference

pondac +1

By far the most significant upgrade I made to my vinyl source was moving my Linn LP-12 to a separate wall shelf.  Rega makes a wall shelf dedicated to their turntables. Take the hint 😆

@pindac 

+1 Although off topic. I agree. Turntable support and isolation can significantly improve the performance of a turntable. Well, while not to the same extent, isolation to a phono stage can improve the sonics. I have used Black Diamond Racing shelves and cones and better yet Silent Running Isolation platform. Lower cost solutions are out there. But this would be after a phono stage upgrade. 

ANYTHING PHONO: think ’preferred’, not better.

Thus, look for choices/changes/options that allow returns.

IF you can try/return the Rega Fono, why not, you will learn more about your NAD 33’s MM Phono by any comparison. 

However, I suggest you think long, and think about eventual use of a Moving Coil Cartridge, consider new boron cantilevers, perhaps eventually risk vintage cartridges to try sapphire or my recent favorite beryllium cantilevers.

either

a SUT to keep using your existing MM stage in your NAD 33 (or any future MM Phono Stage)

a Phono Stage with MC and MM capability.

Next, you need some optional settings for cartridge variations: different gain settings, and different impedance settings, even better if those are independant.

Also, consider removable headshells or eventually two tonearms, in which case you need to solve switching from one arm to the other.

I didn’t plan on going this far, but with help here, and lots of luck (after a lot of research) I ended up with a great plinth, quartz locked direct drive, 2, then 3 tonearms, now all with removable headshells, a small collection of MM and MC cartridges (new and vintage) and a SUT with 3 front selectable inputs, a few optional settings for MC, and PASS for MM (or High Output MC)

The more Jazz you listen to, so many greats made recordings prior to 1958 when Stereo LP’s began, and Mono LP’s definitely benefit (a bit, some, a whole lot) from True Mono Cartridges. 

I don’t NEED it, but my ability to play and instantly switch/compare stereo/mono/my or my friend’s cartridges: I got there bit by bit and I’m loving it.

How are your cartridge alignment skills? We need the confidence to know when things are 'right'.

You will benefit for the rest of your life if you acquire a few tools, research, and practice doing it yourself. 

I'm 77, so I went from zero skills, flip over needles, to pretty darn quick, and help my friends, teaching them over the years

I just pasted a list of inexpensive tools and my simple methods to mount and align in this discussion

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/anti-skate-weight-better-sound-without-it

@ghdprentice The OP is a recent convert / return to a Vinyl Source individual.

I was looking at the approach, and it being inquisitive about what was able to be created from the methodology of adding gain to the sent Signal.

My Post was solely to reiterate the Analogue Source is a Mechanical Function until the Coil is to receive data extracted from the groove modulation by the stylus and sent through a conductor to become a conversion to electrical signal in need of a variety of stages of gain being added.

My experiences have guided myself to the place, where I stand strong in the notion a properly set up Analogue Source, that has the mechanical interfaces optimised, is showing much betterment as a design. It is in place that really allows the sent signal to be exploited to the full potential by supporting devices to help create the End Sound from the Source.

I have witnessed over time, much more influential individuals than myself, state similar things I am stating about what is required prior to the electrical interface, in relation to the geometry used for the Stylus within the Groove. I myself believe that a correct geometry is paramount to sending a accurately balanced signal.

It is a discipline to put Mechanics and Geometry over gain methods used for the electrical signal processing.

When the electrical side of the requirement is prioritised over using optimised methods for controlling unwanted energy transfer and alignment / dimensions for the geometry. It is safe to say the 'Horse has already Bolted'.

Generally, the TT>Tonearm>Cart' are sort of looked after by their owner, i.e, the TT is not on a Wooden Floor, the Tonearm dimension for the S>P is within a mm, the Cart' Stylus is local to the null points and looks OK to the eye horizontal and vertical level. This as a set up will play music and I am sure it is to be thoroughly enjoyed. 

Generally, what is missed, is just how far forward a presentation and End Sound can jump in betterment, when the well known disciplines for a Vinyl Source are worked towards having them in place.