Is the Stageline N worth getting over the built in phono on the SN3? I can get a used one for $200.
Wouldn’t have thought so much older tech.
I use my SN3 one and bought more albums. 
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Have you tried other phono preamps with it? The built in phono sounds nice, but maybe a REGA MK5 will do better?
Their basic circuit has been going on for decades, right back to the 80’s design.
SN3 serviceable
Stagelines not according to posts I’ve seen.
You asked if a stageline bargain was better than inbuilt so why tell me to try a Rega one.
I’m happy as is.
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My mate had a Supernait 3 and adding a Stageline was a nice uplift, and better than my Rega Fono 2 which I took along for comparison. This was when powering it from the Supernait. He later bought a Hicap for the Stageline which bought a substantial further improvement.
Obviously the benefit of any phono stage will depend on matching it with the right cartridge, so other users may get different results. Giving the Stageline its own space on the rack with careful setup matters too.
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Are you sure ?
I think Stageline is serviceable. Not much to service though. Maybe @NeilS can advise?
I was thinking about asking the same thing. Im using rebuilt lp12 with rega mm cartridge. Looking for just a little more spatial awareness. Any suggestions.
[citation needed] as they say on Wiki.
Yes, we service Stagelines 
Regards
Neil.
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That will be that then
A few ill advised posts doing the rounds. 
Help the forum to help you by telling us which Rega MM.
nd5
My cartridge is a Sumiko Amethyst. The phono that is built in with the SN3 sounds good. I think I will try a Schiit Mani 2 and see how that compares with the one that is built into the SN3. If it ends up sounding worse, I just lose $150, no big deal.
I doubt it very much. Instead of a sideways move, look elsewhere in your system for upgrade.
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The built-in MM phono preamps are all based on the Stageline. So any benefit would be coming from box separation and possibly a dedicated power supply rather than the preamp circuit itself.
That said, the Naim MM circuit is fairly idiosyncratic and has (regardless of on paper specs) a small number of cartridge brands they have good synergy with. The Sumikos are are one of them so your mileage with another stage may vary.
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Can you name those brands?
Probably not all of them. The obvious ones for a Naim MM are Audio Technica, Sure, Sumiko, Dynavector (high output MC), Linn.
A few really don’t work great like Ortofon. But it’s important to remember that for every type of cart that there is known synergy, there will be people that dislike it, and for every type that is known to be a poor match, people who likewise disagree and like the result.
Generally a Naim dealer who is into vinyl can steer you towards viable options and away from others.
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