Hi folks,
Hello from Ireland. I have a clear audio concept turntable (approximately $1,500, with sumiko blue point cartridge/stylus approx $300), decent speakers Focal ($2,000) but an old yamaha amp, cheap, but nice sound. I want to upgrade the vinyl sound. Is it pointless upgrading significantly on a phone preamp (eg stellar phono) if the integrated amp is of poorer quality? Apologies if this question has been answered a million times before - i’m new to the forum. Many thanks, John
Welcome!
If you are happy with your amp sound, a separate phono preamp may be the best upgrade. That would also allow you to upgrade your amp later and you’ll have more options for an integrated without a phono preamp built in than with a phone preamp incorporated.
you would be surprise, if Vinyl is your prime directive, go ahead.
I did that for an old Pioneer Receiver and big change
but also you could go Strata, it a very good all in one, that doesn’t lose that much value
and will gave you an idea of the PS Audio vibe!
ps
ps audio phono preamp, is a sort of forever phono preamp, and that way, if Vinyl is priority, it is a good machine. Just watch the remote and put it away from kid thrower and chewy the dog!
But very cheap to replace
Also, welcome aboard!
Thanks so much for the advice everyone, much appreciated. I think I will go for the ps audio phono, and the integrated will be for another day, and another paycheck. Tricky to get PS Audio in Ireland, bit I will persevere 
Thanks again, J
It will depend on the Yamaha that you presently have and your budget. While the PS Audio Stellar is certainly a step up the Yamaha may hold it back. If you are thinking in the long term to upgrade the Yamaha then that is a different matter. Depending on your budget the Luxman 509X or current model 509Z is a fine partner for your Focal speakers IME. Having had the Luxman 509X for some time. If that exceeds your budget the NAD Integrated series offers integral streaming and a respectable phono stage at a nice price. My wife stepped away from the complexity of a system I had assembled and went with the NAD C388 (with Blue OS streaming) integrated with a phono stage with a pair of Sonus Faber Lumina II Speakers. The turntable being a re-built Technics SL-1700 with an Audio Technica AT-120sb MM cartridge.
maybe, I get it wrong, but it seems to me he want to change league, and the one, you’re suggest are in the same league as his Yamaha. I would not invest money to stay in the same league. To me it’s like changing the color of his car.
He have a very good Yamaha, and trade it for a all in one, He should go Strata then! If changing speaker is not an option!
Paul always said change the Elephant in the place [the speakers], if you loved them, than climb the stair the stair! He enjoy is Yamaha, so go to the phono stage and after if it’s not enough go to the amplifier [integrated or separate amp/preamp]
But maybe, I get it wrong, just an old fool, comment who waste/invest (depending on your point of vue) 50 years in HiFi
the glass is half full or empty, that what Yamaha vs Nad, etc.. (for me it’s point of vue, nothing more, not really improving anything]
Ps
If I offended someone, I sorry, but at my age, I’m grumpy and have opinion, that now, I share!
Anyway, live long and prosper!
Engage, Mr Spock!
Kirk out!
Thanks all, I will upgrade the Yamaha in time, but phono first, and if I get stellar phono, then when I upgrade the integrated I won’t need to consider a built in phono stage. - and no offence taken
I’m borrowing from @weedeewop
Oh, Focal speakers? Yikes!
