What's more important: phono stage or amp

"A chain is as strong as its weakest link," whatever that may be in the particular case.

IMO. Other opinions and responses, at least many of them, will certainly differ.

Regards,
-- Al

Turntable.
But what Al said is of course true.

In my opinion, the phono stage needs to be matched to the cartridge, the amp needs to be matched to the speakers. Two different ends of a continuous process. But would be ok spending more on a phono preamp than an amp.