Within my local HiFi Group, there are Three Systems regularly used over the past years for HiFi Demonstrations and other Systems are used infrequently as Group Gatherings at the homes are not always achievable.
In recent years one of the regular systems has adopted an earlier generation VAC Integrated Amp', with Built in MM / MC Stage.
A newer member to the Group has the latest Generation of VAC Amplification Imported to be used in their system.
Within this Group, there has been numerous permutations put in place for Cartridge Signal Amplification. Working with Vinyl has proved much more satisfying to experience than the Digital Sources and Ancillaries that have undergone demonstrations, but that is also relative to the quantity of the turnover of Vinyl Source Devices put forward to be compared against the quantity of Digital Source Devices. (For the record I have encountered very attractive Digital devices during demonstrations of the type described above)
There is a massive amount that can be learned by taking Phonostages and supporting ancillaries to other systems for a demonstration. It is certainly worthwhile making an arrangement, if possible, to try out the XP-27 at the friend's home.
@mulveling again through your descriptions of how you like to support your Vinyl usage, I can easily identify that we share a similarity in our preferences for managing a Vinyl Source Signal.
I myself prefer a SUT for a LOMC. I also like more than one SUT at hand to suit certain types of replays.
Where we differ at present is that I have not been too focused on reducing the Cable Length between the SUT>Phon', I have usually worked with 70cm (28 inches). From your descriptions I do feel I can get more if I were to shorten the Cable.
Shortening a Cable has not been an unknown to me as being beneficial, it is just that I have toyed with an idea that has run parallel with the idea of cable shortening.
Due to having certain Devices Bespoke produced, I have not been able to get a Chassis RCA Socket Configuration to suit my producing my idea, yet to be realised. I am pretty much limited to the designers Topology for the Parts to be used for the Signal Path, and I am not the one to challenge their design, I am there looking for optimised, and will not suggest a compromise to this being produced from the design, to suit a preference for an RCA positioning on a Chassis.
Here is the idea I have had in mind; it is to use Low Eddy Chassis RCA on the Phonostage and have a New SUT produced with Low Eddy Chassis Connectors. The Chassis Connectors on the SUT are to be positioned on the SUT at a centering to perfectly match the Phon's Chassis RCA Centres.
The SUT will also have the Chassis RCA's mounted on the Chassis in a way that enables the RCA's on both Phon' and SUT to touch without any encroachment from the SUT Chassis and causing impediments, the RCA positioning will also allow for the SUT to be adequately supported.
This type of alignment between the RCA Sockets will enable a Male/Male Low Eddy RCA to be used, to directly couple the Phon'>SUT without a Cable.
The unknown at present is if a Low Eddy Male/Male RCA is offered as a part. Alternatively, if a Low Eddy Male/Male is not to be found, a Male/Male connector using Two Low Eddy Male RCA's can be produced using a wire of choice to connect them and create the functioning part.
This is obviously not a common approach but does create a very short signal path.
When the system is set back up, I will be changing all connectors to Low Eddy, so the idea of the connectors is to stick.
I would be interested to receive any comments on the idea of directly coupling a SUT to a Phon' on the external side, as this gives flexibility in maintaining the exchanges of a SUT's that I like to experience, as well as allowing for something to be experienced a little less usual.