+1 on the ZStage comment
The short answer is YES.
Although conceptually a phono pre-stage is much like a pre-amp, it is more like a pre-pre-amp. A phono section (phono+phono stage) can be used without a pre-amp, but not with out the phono stage. They are different. While accomplishing the same thing in boosting signal amplitude the phono stage only boosts to line voltage ( about 2V, generally, I think). Any boost in amplitude needed after that would be added by a pre-amp before being sent to an amp.
That being said...
If you can add some "tube magic" to your signal path it should add a touch of the magic to your sound, though obviously the way to get tube sound is from tube amplification. A little is (IMO) better than none. After a full tube listening experience I knew I could not live without it. I added a ZRock to my vintage solid state setup and was immediately glad I did. To be fair, I prefer a Zstage, which doesn't employ the sound shaping the ZRock uses, but the ZRock is excellent for taking away the thinness of digital signals.
Can I ask what your signal chain consists of? Are you using usb-> DAC-> amp?
I love conversations like this... I will be honest and say that I thought I had already applied to this thread... at least I noticed... LOL... I can't take me anywhere.