How much gain is needed in a Phono Preamp for a 0.2 to 0.3mv low output moving coil?

Thanks again, I keep reading all the good words regarding the AT Art9. When I owned audio stores years ago we sold AT cartridges along with Grado, Denon, and Shure. The best one AT made was $150 and had a Shabata stylus. Compared to the others we sold and got in for demo the AT sounded the worst. I would prefer a LOMC most are around 0.3mv and 60 db of gain is max on most phono preamps and you have no room to upgrade to a cartridge with lower output. I emailed VPI and Marc sent me back a nice email about cartridges on the Prime. He said the Ortofon, AT, or Dyna are good matches for the TT. There are probably others but I only asked about the 4 mentioned.  Didn't have any experience with the Benz on the 3D arm. I wish the Manley had more ourput. One just popped up for $1500 for an older one. It might end up being the Herron only because it gives me more options.

I have the Chinook and upgraded the tubes to Phillips NOS. Just bought my second Soundsmith Cart -  the original Zephyr is on my VPI Scout 1.1 now (Zephyr is made for unipivot arm) and it sounds great. Have Primaluna pre and Dialogue Premium power amp, Martin Logan ESLs. Got the Zephyr MIMC Star MC at .4 output but have not mounted it yet. Hope it all works out. Not sure what output the PL pre and power amp provide. I did notice a little more gain when I replaced the Chinook stock Electro Harmonix tubes. I may be asking you some questions sbank. Juke4u let us know what you end up doing! Great thread.

I use a Dynavector XX2 MKII (.28 mv) with the ARC PH-7 (57.5 dB). My line pre is the ARC REF 3 (11.6 dB balanced) and the amp is an Ayre V5xe (26 dB). Noise and gain are not an issue. When the volume control gets past 50 (out of 104) my Vandersteen 3A Sigs (87dB) are at party. Normal levels for me are 25 -45. Even though the DV works well, no complaints, I can’t help but wonder if could work better with more gain. I would recommend carts from .4 to .6 mv. There are outstanding carts in that range.

I bid on a Pass XP 15 but did not bid high enough. Is anyone familiar with the Pass Xono?  How would you compare the Xono to the EAR 864P? I have read what I could find. Can the output on the ear be adjusted or is it set?

Juke,

probably least expensive way to find out what correct loading and gainwill mean to you is to buy or borrow an ifi 2 Phono stage. Plenty of load settings and 72db gain not to mention sound that will embarrass many Phono pres in the sub $3k. Don't buy or borrow the original ifi which won't get you the gain you need. In fact, buy one on amoney back deal from Music Direct. I don't think you will send it back. Yes, there is a meaningful interplay between load and gain.