How do I choose a phono preamp?

I used my McIntosh Stereo/Mono switch for years, and I thought it was ’good enough’, 

I learned here that a True Mono cartridge is better, tried it, and discovered it is without a doubt true, depending on the LP content and condition, it can make a little/lot/whole lotta difference. Less noise combined with improved definition of individual instruments make a far more involving experience.

Everyone who listens here easily hears the betterment. Like me, they previously thought their Mono Mode was ’good enough’. You owe it to yourself to hear it for yourself. 

IF you get into Jazz, so many great musicians/singers were active in the late 40’s, early 50s, when Mono recording techniques were quite advanced, then both Mono and Stereo were made for a few years of transition, then Stereo, now new Mono’s, that’s not for me, but for some.

I grab a few Oscar Peterson, Miles, and within seconds simply change to ’C’ on my SUT to play a Mono LP in the middle of a listening session with an AT33PTG Mono boron/line contact, then back to B for my AT160ML MM with beryllium/microline tracking at 1.25; then perhaps use A for MC AT33PTG/II boron/microline tracking at 2.0g, or perhaps my Sumiko Talisman s MC with sapphire tube/van den hul. I change tone arm selection and different gain/impedance with face mounted selectors on the SUT I so luckily chose. That is a big part of my flexibility.

I listened for many years with one favored cartridge and Stereo/Mono mode switch, it was darn good, but if going to invest a decent amount of money, you can set yourself up to experience readily apparent differences.

I got here with some dumb luck, but now that you are smart enough to ask in advance, think long and hard, the potential to add a second arm is fundamental.

friends bring their cartridges here,

I can lower all 3 arms and maintain speed, and we can compare 3 different cartridges, just seconds apart (after I make some temp volume adjust marks). I listen with friends, and younger ears, to avoid 'expectation bias'.

I just met Charles Kirmuss at the NY Audio Show. He says it is unwise to play an LP again prior to letting the grooves cool overnight. I know the forces involved are tremendous, ....... so maybe I'll start on 3 different tracks on the same album, what to believe?

https://kirmussaudio.com/

I have that Goanna LP, Live Aid started in the middle of the night here, I set my VCR, it began in Australia, I heard INXS, Goanna, Dragon ... found and bought some LPs.

It seemed to me like US Garage Bands starting out, but with better/more affordable equipment. 

Patrick, given that your downstream gear is balanced, I’d recommend a balanced phono to go with. Atmasphere and BAT are two sources. There are many others, usually solid state. Capacity for more than one pair of phono inputs, if you think you’ll ever need them, resistive and capacitance loading settings, mono switch, etc are further options. If you do want balanced, then Allnic and others mentioned are off the table. I sold my CLS Is back in the 80s in order to buy CLS II. Big mistake.

Given your comments, particularly if you want to do start endgame and not a novist setup. 

I’d recommend a Linn LP12 Majik with runs around $6K. It is an excellent turntable with cartridge and can be incrementally upgraded to a very high end  machine if you want. I started in the middle and upgraded to the top. If is a wonderful table Then as I recommend a used Audio Research PH8 or higher phonostage. If I had let’s say $16K I would feel comfortablly get the turntable and spend the rest on the phonostage... they are that important. However, you could configure the turntable with an upgraded arm, or cartridge... so increasing the proportion investing in the table and less for the phonostage. I have continuously had turntables since the 1960’s.

My vinyl arm is really good. With the top of the line LP12, top of the line Audio Research phonostage, Koetsu Rosewood Signature cartridge and a custom Silent Running Isolation Platform ($3.5K, well worth it). Sounds great. Although I don’t use it because my digital end sounds as good and sometimes better (with high resolution streams)... and with access to millions of albums I never listen to my vinyl leg. If I had $16K to invest and I was you, I would improve my streaming leg. But that is me. 

Are you in the USA?

Guaranteed by SkyFi Audio, with excellent pre-mounted MC Cartridge

https://skyfiaudio.com/products/luxman-pd444-vintage-turntable-w-new-lyra-delos-mc-cartridge

The arm has a removable headshell

https://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2020/05/31/fr-64-tonearm-fidelity-research/

Potential for a 2nd arm later if desired. A sliding/locking plate type  can be acquired at that time/ 

The Cartridge

https://lyraanalog.com/delos.php

You could discuss a second headshell in the package, an alternate cartridge choice, or adding a 2nd arm to start if you want.