phono preamp for Grado Master low output to C11

I don't have your cart, but I do have a Grado Sonata. My phono preamp is the TTVJ Hybrid. Although I'm using the MM inputs, it goes to a 10 watt tube amp. My Bellari didn't have enough gain, the Hybrid does. The MC inputs have even more gain and numerous adjustments. I really enjoy the sound. I believe Todd (the vinyl junkie) said he had one or two more available at about $550. It's worth checking into.

You're going to need something with 60+ db of gain, no transformer's, and a 47kohm input (or higher - but I do not know of any phono pre's that have a 100Kohm input imp.) So maybe the Jolida fits your budget? high quiet gain, adjustable Impedence (keep it @ 47Kohm or higher)...

Maybe a Blue Circle Phon-lo-Thingie? See if you can get Gilbert to make it with a 100kohm input impedence? I think 47kohm is standard. It punches WAY above it's price class!

"Do I really need to go crazy?" You may or may not go crazy, but be prepared to have an extended hunt. I have the same cartridge and like you, needed a new phono pre that could handle the low output. I assumed the specified gain and great reviews of the Sutherland Ph1-P would ensure good performance. Wrong. For whatever reason, even though the specified gain should have been more than adequate, it just was kind of polite and too laid back. It was also marginal as far as noise. After taking a big gulp, I bought the much more spendy RCM sensor prelude and THIS combo sprang to life. Grado woodies have a less than extroverted personality and it evidently takes some care in preamp matching to get a happy marriage.

I use a Sutherland PhD and it really shines. With the Grado Statement1 at 500ohms input.

Grado's makes it own PH-1 phono amp that sells new for $500. It has switchable 40db/60dB gain

Your Mac C11 supposedly has "Voltage gain 20dB aux, 60dB phono". So let's see how this works out electrically...(experts please correct me if wrong, I'm trying this at 2am after a long night out)

Grado Statement Master @ 0.5mV x PH-1 @ 40dB gain = 50mV output x Mac C11 aux @ 20dB = 500mV output

Grado Statement Master @ 0.5mV x PH-1 @ 60dB gain = 500mV output x Mac C11 aux @ 20dB = 5000mV/5V output

I'm hoping that the volume control on the C11 attenuates the input voltage before reaching the amplifier stage. If so, on the 60dB setting things should work nicely with the volume less than turned up all the way.

I have used a Jasmine phono stage with great results with a LOMC Denon DL-S1. Second hand they sell for $450. On Ebay, a little bit more (this is where I purchased mine). These come directly from China. Read some of the reviews here on AG.

Second the Jasmine, much better than the Pro-ject tube phono box II with upgraded tubes (which was already pretty good to start with) and much much better than the Vincent Pho-8 two boxer. They are available from Amazon also.