Dear @korakotta: You said are a roockie so you do not know why or from where exist the SUTS.
Look, in the old times when started the LOMC cartridges problem was that phono stages only handle MM cartridge type but were not designed for low output cartridge designs.
All the LOMC cartridge manufacturers were SUT manufacturers too for the customers will be abble to listen its low output designs.
Al manufacturers did it: Ortofon, FR, Denon, Dynavector, Audio Technica , Entré, Accuphase, and I can go on and on. In those times SS/tube electronics came with internal SUTs or with out any. In those same times started to appears SUT manufacturers to take advantage of the LOMC cartridge customers even that they were not cartridge manufacturers.
Example, when Ortofon puts in the market its MC 10 ( lomc design. ) they gave its customers the T-10 SUT, then the MC 30 along the T 30 and then the MC2000 along the T2000 and then the MC5000 along the T5000 and that's why Ortofon and other LOMC cartridges manufacturers still manufacturer SUTs but not because today is the best alternative because it's not.
Time to time started to appears phono stage units with active high gain stages that did not needs any SUT and these type of high gain stages were exclusive SS ones in times where SS was in reality in the learning began curve and audiophiles prefered that MM stages plus SUTs ( tube phono stages always need SUTs. That is a limitation in the tube technology because can't handle that so low output levels in that cartridge type. )that sounded a little better but today overall " things " changed and SS active high gain units are the best way to go, not SUTs.
In the mid-time appeared too active high gain pre-pre with out RIAA stage named: headamps and were SS designs. problem with active high gain phono stages is not in the phono stage it self but that there are not many good designs because are not an easy audio item to design but the PH-10 looks as very good alternative.
Ignorance and stupidity leves speaks sometimes in the people.
As a roockie you need to learn and one way to learn is spending money bmore by ignorance in what and why to buy audio items. You came here looking for advise not to just spend the money but at the end that money is yours and you can do with whatever you want it. It's clear that the parameters/characteristics I mentioned in the PH-10 design are not of your concern and I understand it because you just not even understand it due that you are ( as you said. ) a newcomer.
If you want SUTs go for it and sooner or latter you will learn or maybe you never will. Who knows?
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC not DISTORTIONS,
R.
