Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

Al is corect regarding cartridge criteria with the Coincident.

Hey Al, Doesn't the Coincident have a built-in SUT, and is there not the possibility to bypass the SUT, if you have an MM? I guess not, based on what you wrote. I am quite surprised.

Hi Lew,

Yes, it is described as using a SUT, and I'd imagine that it could be bypassed internally and a suitable resistive termination put in place. But it seems clear from the description that internal modifications would be required, and I doubt that many of us would want to do that to such a special piece. Or even have Israel do that, if in fact he would be willing to.

And of course the mod would have to be undone later if the OP eventually goes to a LOMC, unless the design were further modified with the addition of a switch and wiring changes, the result very conceivably being a signal path that is compromised to some degree.

I suppose also that an external SUT could be purchased and used in the reverse direction, to reduce the voltage and increase the load impedance. But that doesn't seem to make much sense either, sonically or financially.

My basic feeling, fwiw, is that something as special as this piece should be kept in stock form, and used as its designer intended.

Best regards,
-- Al

Based on my interactions with Israel over the past 4 years, he'd rather lose his right hand and an eye(maybe even an ear) before he'd compromise anything related to the signal path. Purity and simplicity of the audio signal is his mantra.
Charles,

I know cartridges are a world in itself. I would just start with the most inexpensive MC cartridge that would be compatible with the Concept turnarm.

The Denon 103r should work. Dirt cheap here. Plus one of the reviews of the Coincident asserted that it plays well with the Denon.

I find that there's such a thing as over-deliberation. Even in the absence of all the facts, sometimes one just needs to make a decision, one way or the other, and move on. Moreover, you now have 25 records (and counting?); give them some love.