2. The MC section of the pre amp has 50db gain or 60db. I'm having trouble finding a balance. Recommendation from dynavector is 50db with 1000h ohmz load. So that's where I started. It seemed fine. And playing with the knob up or down didn't improve the sound, and actually degraded in most cases.It sounds like the 50dB setting is the correct one. I would try the loading as high as you can- 47K (which is the standard for phono inputs) if possible and work your way down from there if needed. Here is an article about what the loading is about:http://www.hagtech.com/loading.html
There is more to it than that of course... BTW I would check the tone are settings just to make sure everything else is right. The height is one thing but tracking force is another, as well as something called 'overhang' which can be checked with a turntable protractor (which should not be expensive).