Benz Micro Glider Loading

@atmasphere

I don’t want to appear ignorant but I’m not sure how the info you provided helps me in deciding what phono pre I should look for other than listening of course which really isn't an option when buying used.   One with a 1k loading option or not?

In my previous phono pre’s 1k or close seemed to work the best. Some phono pre’s don’t have this option as I’m sure you know.

I have two MC cartridges and one MM. I like to swap them out fairly often.

I guess I should be looking for something that’s more flexible/adjustable than some of the others out there.

I can suggest:
The Hagerman Trumpet MC is very flexible, easy to adjust in gain & loading with front knobs, sounds great, and doesn’t cost much. Its main limitation is lack of adjustable capacitive loading for MM. It has a warm sound that goes GREAT with Benz cartridges. Due to a bit of noise floor, it’s best with the 0.4mV and higher models.

The Benz PP-1 (discontinued but available used) has a fixed 22K input load that can be used with splitters and loading plugs (e.g. the DB Systems Loading Kit) to hit any target load without internal modification (this loading plug technique can be used with any non-SUT based MC phono stage with a sufficiently high input impedance). The PP-1 is not as warm as the Hagerman, but only just. And it’s a bit quieter. For a Solid State unit, it’s quite warm and sweet! Unfortunately, it’s MC only. It’s a PERFECT match for the 0.4mV models. It still works great with the medium output models like your Glider, but I find the Hagerman a bit more optimal at that level. I.e. I find the Benz Wood SM (0.9mV) better on the Trumpet MC, but the Wood L2 (0.4mV) is better on the PP-1.

The Rogue Ares Magnum and Herron VTPH-2A are also good options (Herron uses loading plugs, Ares uses DIP switches for loading), but I find them tonally brighter / leaner versus the above options. My preference is usually with the sweeter stages.

MC stages with a SUT front end are generally not going to be very flexible with loading (Rogue Ares being an exception to this), as their loading is usually dictated by 47K ohms divided by the square of the step-up ratio.

I don’t want to appear ignorant but I’m not sure how the info you provided helps me in deciding what phono pre I should look for other than listening of course which really isn't an option when buying used.   One with a 1k loading option or not?

@nicktheknife You will have to listen. Designers are not in the habit of letting you know whether they know what they are doing or not. My point was that 1K isn't needed if the phono section is properly designed; the industry stock standard of 47K should be fine.

@atmasphere 

Thanks for your response and patience.  I'm not as technically knowledgeable as someone as yourself but it's nice to soak up as much info as possible.

@mulveling 

I'll look into some of your suggestions.  I think I mentioned earlier that I had a Hagerman Piccolo that I built from a kit.   I liked it very much and wish I still had it.  

I also took pride in the fact that I built it and could put quality parts into it.