Looking for a phono stage with pleasing coloration

I have the Soundsmith Paua II into a Simaudio LP5.3 with the external power supply, and as Soundsmith and others report the Paua II is a bit lush and sultry.  I run the loading at 1000 ohms for a bit more high frequency detail.  

How is your cartridge setup -  the tonearm  TA-RB880-RETAIL-UNI.pdf (rega.co.uk)  does not show the ability to alter the vertical tracking angle (VTA) which for a high end cartridge such as the Paua II can be critical to get the best results.  Can you set VTA?  Viewing the telescoping aluminum cantilever which has a flat spot where the stylus is inserted, is that flat spot level or tilted with the record?  Each position will yield a slightly different sound quality.  Tilted too far fwd "will tend to have good stage width but the strings will sound unnatural, edgy and irritating.".  Tilted too far back "the sound will be slightly muffled, with a lack of high frequencies and air around the instruments."    Sedrik Harris: Setting Up Cartridge VTA (enjoythemusic.com) .  Others on this forum can fill-in with more details and there are many articles on the web on VTA. 

What loading do you use with Travish?  The maximum is indicated as 500 ohm which would be the 'normal' minimum (470-ohms actually); lower would cause some high frequency roll-off.  Have you tried running at 400-ohms?  Also, have you tried tube rolling?  The Travish manual  Microsoft Word - adagio_owners_manual_rel6.docx (shopify.com) implies its using new current available tubes - not New Old Stock (NOS).  Some NOS tube(s) could make a huge difference.  Check with Travish to see what tube or tubes will have the most musical impact; and then consider some NOS for that or those tubes.  

Just some thoughts.  Good luck.

Dealer came to my house and professionally installed Soundsmith; he also used shims to adjust VTA. I have always run cartridge at 400 ohms (and going up to 500 doesn't make much of a difference). I think the setup and installation is well done. I'm also already running NOS tubes (GE 12x7 and Siemens 12au7). I used to find tube rolling fun but I'm a bit over it now; there's just too much variability with tubes.

Yes the SUT is more or less essential. I've never been into them but this Decware design is integral and using theirs, exchange program even, its an interesting solution. Seriously considering trying one, and I have a Herron which is a fantastic phono stage, just not a pure tube let alone SET zero negative feedback passive design.

I know the Paua well - I suggest you start by auditioning the matching Soundsmith phono - as the loading and gain requirements for the Paua are unusual - ie gain of a moving coil stage, but the ability to adjust the loading between 500 and 1000 ohms.

Good idea. But note the Decware SUT uses infinitely adjustable loading - on the fly - simply turn the knob.