Why is the trend to make separate phono stage

Thanks for the responses so far. Let me give you some background to why I think this is an important issue. I believe (right or wrong) that the phono section is the hardest part to get right in a preamp. I am also a strong believer that analog is still better than CD and the new formats. At least my analog set-up is better than my SACD player. Maybe if I spent $ 10,000 on the SACD (which is hard to do in a technology that improves so fast)it would be at the same level as my analog setup. However, as I am looking at replacing my current pre-amp I am finding that are virually no state of the art phono/line preamps that could be my pre-am,p for the next ten years. That is at least my ambition that it will last a while when I purchase a new unit.

Dcaudio-

I am looking at replacing my current pre-amp (phono & line)for the next ten years

I've been in the same boat. Maybe a solution is, phono + volume control for the rest??? I.e. are you sure the active line's extra db are absolutely necessary??? In a similar vein, some "sota" pres such as Blowtorch mentioned above, provide 6-8 (?) db signal amplification... it's not as if their designers skimp on the issue, surely:)

OTOH as to phono being difficult: While load issues at the phono equalising stage & the various amplification stages *are* tricky, the actual riaa curve is not that difficult to implement (and I'm no "seasoned" diyer, either etc). Rather, it's an expensive undertaking. LCR phonos are very nice -- but finding the right values (think: coils, for example) & matching the components (otherwise, there goes your riaa curve) is beastly. But it's doable -- at a price! Look at the wavac, vendetta, aesthetix, etc riaa's: expensive, but probably good enough to keep one happy 10+ years!

On subject and IMO, it has been said before: there is a MARKET for separates; why not tap it??? I.e. there are TWO products to sell, where before there was only one. Unfortunately, there are also two cases ($$$) two PS instead of one beafed up one ($$), etc. And the cable people make a little extra. I'm not ranting, there are people who don't use phono hence don't want to pay for the extra circuitry. So, pro & con arguments abound!

Dcaudio,

I was in the same position as you are about two years ago. I went with a CAT Ultimate which is one of the very few choices left. If you want a pre amp with a phono stage I don't believe it gets any better than the CAT.

The CAT has three drawbacks. First, the volume control doesn't give you enough choices. You can live with it, but there is to much variation from from one step to the next. The power suppy is hard wired to the control unit. It's a major logistical pain. Finally, the CAT Ultimate isn't on the romantic side of neutral. It doesn't have excessive mid range bloom like some other tube pre amps do. This may or may not be a drawback, it simply depends on your sonic preference. In my case the CAT Ultimate, despite it's quirks, sounds so good it's going to be with me a very long time

The "25% thing" was a quote from the original post, not an assertion by me. I doubt Dcaudio did a study on it, nor would I expect him to. I certainly did not.
Nonetheless, IMHO, most folks aren't willing to pay for a phono section they won't use, and most manufacturers in their judgement think it makes sense not to include with most of their offerings.
Not that I necessarily agree, but that's another thread...
Cheers, Spencer

It's the $$$ for sure. Manufacture loves to seperate everything and sells for more money.

Regardless of the demand of phono stage, it's easy enough to include, good or bad is another issue. When you walk into Circuit City or Good Guys, count how many HT receivers out there that does NOT have a phono section. Here we are talking about mass market audio gears which should have less percentage of record spinner. So why would Sony or Denon include phono section to increase their cost? Because it costs so little when all you are adding is one small circuit to a big box.

Now, don't we all look foolish falling into this high end trap?