phono stage / step up for Koetsu carts

This is an old thread but if somebody found the TE Microgroove "noisy", there was a problem somewhere else. I have one now and the system (with 100 dB/W speakers) is dead silent - nothing. I have to have my ear right ON the driver to tell if it's on.

Tom Evans' gear in general is as silent as it comes.

I've had excellent/best results with Koetsu's straight into tube preamps at 47k - magic with my Marantz 7 ( mounted on a Zeta tonearm ). Have had experiences with vintage Altec step up's - you really need to try before you buy, but my experience with most preamps using built in transformers is that they are restrictive. Sold Klyne headamp to Koetsu owner and he was very happy, preferred it to an Audio Note transformer.

I am getting good results using a Choir Audio H-7, which
uses Hashimoto transformers.

I listened always on 1 kilo ohm on the plp.