Why is the trend to make separate phono stage

Jrd351 many changes and improvements have been make in turntables, arms, and cartridges, not to mention phono stages over the last 30 years.

I have had many pre-amps over the years. They continued to sound better as I bought better quality equipment. The sound of the phono stages changed a lot over the years. The RIAA curve has remained constant, but everything else has improved.

If you are content to listen to an older and inferior phono stage that's fine. More power to you! There is no reason though, to claim that the sonic improvements made in the last 30 years do not exist.

Fundimentally amps, pre-amps, and speakers are the same as they were 30 years ago. A cursory glance with however reveal that the details have changed dramatically.

the cost of the materials has actually become far less expensive,because those materials are primarily from china today. i'm not saying the quality of those materials isn't as good, i'm saying a separate phono pre of quality is one of the biggest 'margin' items in home entertainment and it shouldn't be ..it should be a fundamental part of any true high end pre,integrated or receiver. offering value in our hobby is the last thing on most manufacturers' minds .

More preamp manufacturers should offer an integral phono section at least as an option. This does occur in some instances but at an appalling low rate.

Ok, here's a basic question. (I hate being so ignorant!)

If you're only going to play vinyl, do you need a pre-amp, or are there phono stages that can operate independently of the preamp? This is the direction my playing is going, as I just can't tolerate the sound of CD's.

If so, what are the core issues I need to be aware of?

Thanks mucho. Happy weekend, all.

JRD351, good luck with anything of quality from mainland China.....