The cartridge is brand new, I've got upgraded TT last week and in dealership store was sounding great. Just now listened a few records and I would hear the little bit sound separation but not as used to be with MM stage. Don't want to experiment putting two phono stages together.
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I think you did, put a step up (?) (from the TT) into a MM input, on the pre.
CD2, AUX, MM all are to low. A proper step up transformer, or a proper input on the pre to increase it. one or the other.
A few of the others, here have said the same. You still have the old gear?
Can you swap it easy? and check?
You need a way to increase the TT output to plug into a MM input on the preamp. My C2500, the input is either MM and or MC. MC you can increase/decrease the gain when MC is used. There is a break in period for sure. BUT it should sound good out of the box so to speak.
Wish you well...
Regards