Phono Preamplifier Redux .. Damn This is Getting Expensive

@avanti1960 

I used a lower gain setting when I first setup the Sutherland and preferred the higher gain setting, but I took your advice and lowered the gain and at this point after many hours of breaking the lower gain sounded better and the soundstage filled out more.... always been on 100 ohms.

@bubba12 

I've moved the turntable to seven different positions and it has the least interaction against the wall and near the sitting position and this might, in the end, be where it ends up, but that requires 4 meter interconnects, so I decided to go for very heavy rack with cones at each shelf resting on the next and I have a 3"thick tiger maple isolation stand on cones... rack weight, 5 sets of cones going to the floor, 108 pounds of integrated amp will be my first step and I will try the Townshend Podiums if that doesn't do it.  I'll go long interconnects and wall mount as a last step if needed.

You've gotten some good suggestions on better isolating your turntable from feedback. If it were me, I'd want to have that issue settled before chasing some new electronics.

One other last comment from me -- there is the possibility that this cartridge just doesn't fit your taste.  Any mechanical-to-electrical (or the other direction) transducer, whether a cartridge, microphone, headphone or speaker has an enormous number of variables that can color the sound.  Think of all the speakers with rave reviews you've heard that left you unimpressed.  Every piece of audio gear out there has its fans and detractors.

Just a thought...

@vonhelmholtz 👍

best to hold off and set everything up properly on the rack either between speakers or on the side wall. Like I said earlier, the ML is a phenomenal cartridge. Also, the 20/20 is a great piece. Don’t go buying anything on impulse.
Good luck and keep us posted. 

edgyhassle,

the podiums will actually get rid of analog problems because you won't have the vibration going through to your turntable I don't know if the bars will help that but the podium is definitely will, best upgrade I've ever done.

Also, think about where to position the equipment rack - between speakers with all components close to one another gives you an opportunity to buy short cables of better quality vs. setting up on the side wall and running cheaper and longer cables. Ran a 15ft Mogami XLRs from pre to amp with rack on the side. I’m back to everything between speakers and my 2 pairs of 1m Acoustic Zen Absolute Copper XLRs connecting DAC to pre and pre to amp. Mogami was fine for a while but ultimately they’re not on the same level.