Phono/preamp/amp chain. One of them tube the others SS. Which one?

I have tried all of the combinations. My preference is tube preamp, SS phono and SS amps.

Inna, or anyone else who has auditioned a number of phono amps; could you explain the improvement over whatever cartridge is on the input. As I explained, I get out, what I put in; others have implied they get out something better than what the cartridge puts out, and well they should with the price of some phono amps.

My question is simply, what improvements do you get over what the cartridge puts out?


Enjoy the music.

I don't have much experience with various phono stages so others might want to explain in details what happens to the signal.

Another +vote for a tubed pre-amp with a solid-state power amp.

You people are killing me, I would have to get preamp and amp at the same time and deal with the phono later. Better start saving on lunches and other things. I will also consider VAC all tube integrated, I suspect that something like Rogue Pharaoh hybrid would not be enough but maybe I'll try it as well. Ideally, I would probably go with Lamm tube preamp and hybrid monos - a lot of money. I only think of used equipment except cartridges. How would VAC preamp work with Rowland 8T? Anyone tried?