Good choice on the TT. If I were to have to replace mine it would be on the short list with a Music Hall 2.2 and another SL series. I was actually surprised when my Technics worked perfect after sitting in a hallway closet for almost 20 years. Took it out dusted it off and hooked it up to the 990. Been going strong for the last 2 years. If I remember the feature list for the 978 and 998, it doesn't have a phono stage built in. At least we are in the right year for the 978. Have you looked at the AV7005? Its gotten rave reviews everywhere I have seen and it has a phono stage.