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Phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC?

A rookie needs some help please...
Would you buy a phono (0.1- 0.22mV+) or step up for LOMC? Which one? Why? It's an Ikeda 9TT (2ohm, 0.2mV) with a VPI Classic, and Dynaudio BM5 MKiii monitors with volume box.
I have found the following options in the past few days. Phono:
Gold Note PH-10 (0.1mV)
Gold Note PH-1 (0.15mV)
Gold Note PH-7 (0.15mV)
EAR 834p (0.22mV)
Nighthawk F117 (???mV)
Which one would you choose?
I am leaning towards the PH10, but honestly I dont need all those settings, but if IT sounds superior than the other then I would go for it. The Nighthawk sounds really good also for the price but I couldn't find the specifications and I am not sure if it's good as any of the Gold Notes. Used EAR 834p can be an option also but I read really mixed opinions about it. 
Now what I have now is a Musical Fidelity MX VYNL (0.4mV if its balanced), now I am running unbalanced. It's biggest advantage is I could run it full balanced all the way from the tonearm to the monitors and maybe some factory upgrade is possible, regarding to the website in the gain and plus a PSU.

Or step up?
Ortofon?
Denon?
It must be Max 1000pounds used.

Thank you all :)
128x128korakotta
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

My advice is consistent with chakster's but based on different

arguments. I own two pretty expensive phono-pres: Basis Exclusive

and Klyne 7PX3,5. Both have different amplification stages with

intention to use the lowest possible with the given cartridge. The

reason is : ''the higher the amplification the higher distortions''.

The max amplification (3th stage) by Klyne is 67dB by Basis 70.

The most of my MC's are low output, low impedance kinds. As

chakster a.o. I also  own Ortofon MC 2000 with 0.05 mV output.

But this is not a criterion. Your own of 0,1 -0.22 is better.

It is obvious that for such values you will need an pretty expensive

(MC) phono-pre. If the money is the problem as is usually the

case a SUT is better solution than ''cheap phono-pre''. I use Denon

 AU-S1 in combo with my Klyne for low output carts. This means

that even an expensive pre like Klyne is not warranty  for sufficient

amplification.


rsf507
2,355 posts
 
I have found the PH10 to be very versatile as uberwaltz stated you may not need all the settings now but down the road it may come in handy and for $1300 I think it's a bargain. 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
+1 again for nandric! A good SUT (Bellari) and a good MM phono stage will give you good and enjoyable music listening!
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Thanks roberjerman but at school I got (much) higher grades.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@rsf507 

I have found the PH10 to be very versatile as uberwaltz stated you may not need all the settings now but down the road it may come in handy and for $1300 I think it's a bargain.

There are many great phono stages for half price of the PH-10, if someone own the PH-10 it woule be nice to see 2-3 more great phono stages in the same price range "beaten" by PH-10. But even in the first review it is clearly stated that we don't have to expect bass slam from the PH-10 (for example). I think it's not good, but depends on the system.  
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