very noisy phono stage

[thumb5]

...
As the analogue inputs are switchable between normal inputs and phono, the amplification is too low.
...

Just to be clear, additional gain is applied when the inputs are configured for use with phono cartridges, along with equalisation (e.g. RIAA).  The amount of additional gain and the equalisation curve are configurable to suit the cartridge.

The problem is not that the amplification is too low -- if it were, it wouldn't be possible to get high enough output from the amplifier as a whole -- but rather that noise at the input of the amplifier and/or in the gain stage is inherently at too high a level with respect to the low output voltage of a moving-coil cartridge.