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
Dear @korakotta: You said are a roockie so you do not know why or from where exist the SUTS.

Look, in the old times when started the LOMC cartridges problem was that phono stages only handle MM cartridge type but were not designed for low output cartridge designs.
All the LOMC cartridge manufacturers were SUT manufacturers too for the customers will be abble to listen its low output designs.

Al manufacturers did it: Ortofon, FR, Denon, Dynavector, Audio Technica , Entré, Accuphase, and I can go on and on. In those times SS/tube electronics came with internal SUTs or with out any. In those same times started to appears SUT manufacturers to take advantage of the LOMC cartridge customers even that they were not cartridge manufacturers.
Example, when Ortofon puts in the market its MC 10 ( lomc design. ) they gave its customers the T-10 SUT, then the MC 30 along the T 30 and then the MC2000 along the T2000 and then the MC5000 along the T5000 and that's why Ortofon and other LOMC cartridges manufacturers still manufacturer SUTs but not because today is the best alternative because it's not.

Time to time started to appears phono stage units with active high gain stages that did not needs any SUT and these type of high gain stages were exclusive SS ones in times where SS was in reality in the learning began curve and audiophiles prefered that MM stages plus SUTs ( tube phono stages always need SUTs. That is a limitation in the tube technology because can't handle that so low output levels in that cartridge type.  )that sounded a little better but today overall " things " changed and SS active high gain units are the best way to go, not SUTs.

In the mid-time appeared too active high gain pre-pre with out RIAA stage named: headamps and were SS designs. problem with active high gain phono stages is not in the phono stage it self but that there are not many good designs because are not an easy audio item to design but the PH-10 looks as very good alternative.

Ignorance and stupidity leves speaks sometimes in the people.

As a roockie you need to learn and one way to learn is spending money bmore by ignorance in what and why to buy audio items. You came here looking for advise not to just spend the money but at the end that money is yours and you can do with whatever you want it. It's clear that the parameters/characteristics I mentioned in the PH-10 design are not of your concern and I understand it because you just not even understand it due that you are ( as you said. ) a newcomer.  

If you want SUTs go for it and sooner or latter you will learn or maybe you never will. Who knows?

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC not DISTORTIONS,
R.


And let's not forget, Ortofon also had head amplifiers. Which they blatantly stole from John Curl's JC-1. 
Yeah, active headamp or pre-preamp is nother option, for example ZYX headamps are unique, read Arthur Savlatore’s review of ZyX CPP-1 online. Now upgraded version available. ZYX cartridges are about 0.22-24 mV and inpedance is about 2-4ohm.

According to Raul we’re all stupid, ignorant and rookie.

Nowadays many manufacturers still makes SUTs, Headamps, but probably only for stupid people.

I assume a decent active gain phono stage that can handle extremely low output cartridges (such as 0.05mV Ortofom MC2000) is very expensive, i mean many thousand dollars. Reviewers does not use such cartridges. Someone praised iphono 2 here on audiogon, but it can’t handle Ortofon MC2000, i tried, reviewers are happy, i’m not happy.

So i’m not sure about PH-10 for extremely low output MC cartridges. Is it really works great with 0.05mV? Anyone?

Don’t believe the hype!


Nothing wring with the SUTs, Raul forgot to mention phono stages with build-in SUTs, i have one of those with Swedish Lundahl transformers, this phono stage is WLM Phonata reference MM/MC with automatic load impedance. The SUTs are inside, no additional wires needed, no extra connections etc. I love this stage with my Fidelity-Research RF-7f designed by Ikeda-San (0.15-0.22mV, 2-3 Ohm).

I would recommend Luxman Silver SUT if you want to try inexpensive, but very good SUT.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/luxman-AD8000.html
  



Dear @invictus005: You are rigth, problem is that Ortofon never really gone/goes on audio electronics designs and that's why its past and today SUTs items in its catalogue.

Regards,
R.

Why use a transformer?

"Step-Up Transformers (SUT) are a serious option for anyone who owns a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, one that can significantly improve both the sound quality and sonic character. Quite simply, a good transformer is the best way to audition an MC cartridge with the highest performance possible.

Since the output of MC cartridges is lower than that of a Moving Magnet (MM), higher gain is required to utilize them, such as that provided by SUTs or MC phono preamplifiers. Although both devices provide this requirement, both are fundamentally different in function and in sonic character. This is where SUTs are frequently seen as superior; they are completely passive and offer exceptional noise performance and sound quality.

This is due to the fact that the structure of harmonic and intermodulation distortion is fundamentally different between MC-preamps and SUTs. While an MC pre-amplifier has a constant resistive input impedance, an SUT has an input impedance that is frequency dependent. The harmonic distortion produced by SUTs is highest at the lowest frequencies and drops as the frequency rises, whereas in most MC preamps the distortion increases as the frequency rises. Combined with significantly lower Intermodulation Distortion (IMD), the sound produced with an SUT will be much more open, dynamic, spacious, and natural."

https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/products/transformers