Is a SUT needed?

Good points.  I would only take issue with the implication that using ICs between an outboard SUT and a suitable MM stage is no different, in terms only of the potential effect of the connecting wires, than having a built-in SUT or a voltage gain stage before the MM circuit.  The external SUT not only requires much longer wires, making it susceptible to RFI and/or the effects of wire capacitance, but it also requires connectors, usually RCA type, at both ends of the ICs. Connectors are a major source of coloration, in my opinion, where low level phono signals are concerned.  This is a point in favor of built-in SUTs, if one must use a SUT.

Germans say, Dutch may have two dad's but dishes still must be done
right after dinner .

Extra pain in the chain?
Not for me.
Cartridge with sufficient output to phonostage without any transformer is for me and choices are plenty-plenty.
There are also non-RIAA preamps for super-low cartridges and they make more sense to add an extra pre-gain.

Dear @bobsdevices : As you know I posted almost in all threads that my main target is to stay: TRUER TO THE RECORDING and my audio system " spins " around that target and how achieve it ( nearer as I can. ) and in the analog alternative case we have to take extremely care to preserves the cartridge signal information preserves its " full " integrity, with out this premises we can’t achieve that main target.

Can we preserves the full integrity cartridge information?, sure we can’t do it. What we can do it is to stay the nearest we can and that’s ALL ! !.

My system handles the cartridge signal through a PhonoLinepreamp ( no separates. Output signal goes directly to the amps. ) ) unit designed with some of these characteristics: fully diferential/balanced dual mono class A non-feedback, dual mono separate/external power supply, no single wire inernally from where the signal travels, input/output connectors direct soldered to the main four layers circuit boards, two totally separated dual mono MC and MM stages where the MC one active devices are bipolars and Mosfets for the MM stage, passive RIAA with tigthy passive devices tolerances ( matched, truly matched. ), no SUT for gain only active devices, every stage fully discrete, no impedance/gain switches or the like and obviously no single tube there or every where in my system.

All those and many other characteristics in that unit permits to have a RIAA eq. deviation of only 0.012 dbs and not only this but when you make RIAA measurements and print the chart/diagram you can’t distinguish the left from the rigth channel RIAA measurements because there is no deviation in between ( as in every phono stage no matters its price tag. ), you see only a line for both channels from 20hz to 20khz. This kind of performance levels is not only through the RIAA response but all the whole Phonolinepreamp channels response/performance is the same.

That’s the quality levels I’m talking here and everywhere. Way different on your or other gentlemans approach and that’s why I know for sure a SUT can’t not even be nearer to my unit. Noise and distortion levels in my unit?, well you can’t believe it.

Now, as I said in this thread a SUT sounds very good but with other kind of " distortion " levels. I own several SUTs and I like it when I use it but I like it more when are out of the signal.

For many people and phono stage manufacturers a SUT is a must and is the lower price solution, we have not many choices to achieve something as my unit because that will be extremely extremely expensive.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.