Here's an article that deals with the Rotel pretty fairly IMO.

http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/analog-sources/rotel-rq970-anthem-pre1p.html

I have a low output Sumiko MC cartridge. Even though the Rotel is set up for MC operation, I find my system sounds better with a Levinson phono pre/preamp ahead of the Rotel. Then I run the Rotel in MM mode.

As others have mentioned, there are LOTS of other choices, including that Radio Shack battery-powered unit (which is hard to find these days, I understand, but is quite desirable.)

Finally, I would think that a phono preamp that output digital would defeat the purpose of having vinyl capability in the first place: the increased resolution of a fully analog sound stream.

If you want to digitally tweak vinyl audio, you can always run the 950 in digital mode (not bypass) and use DPL2 or Neo:6 to dink with it. (which is very worth doing with some recorded material, by the way.)


[This message has been edited by bobliinds (edited January 26, 2003).]