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

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

Thank you for all the replies. 
I changed the unbalanced cables to balanced. The cables need to burn in,the octaves are incomplete, but it feels like I got 5-10db and overall better sound quality, so that's gonna be like that.

I decided to buy a phono next. 
I need to do that even if I am gonna buy later a SUT because the Mx Vynl is running at 47k constantly in MM mode and the Ikeda is happy at 100ohms...

I am hesitating between the Ph-10 and the ASR Mini MK3 exclusive high voltage edition.
I couldnt find lots of info about the last one, only it's good with LOMC and high quality product. Anyone? Both has balanced xlr outs.
Any other phono what would be better with balanced xlr-outs?