Phono preamp or SUT for low output moving coil


I have three low output moving coil cartridges

  • Cello Chorale
  • Van den Hul Grasshopper II
  • Zu/ DL-103 Mk II

My phone preamps have phono input (Nagra PL-P and Conrad Johnson PV-7) but do not provide sufficient gain.  Looking for suggestions.   Open to any and all suggestions including stand-alone Phono pre into preamp line, SUT or electronic equivalent of SUT etc.

dcaudio

I recently got a Zesto SUT for a Rega Aphelion 2 cart going into EAT Eglow petite hybrid-tube PS. I can either go directly to PS with high gain and get a bit of tube hiss. Or I can add the SUT and get a bit of transformer hum. Both at very low levels and only audible when I crank up pre-amp and put my ear next to speaker. The Zesto ads more body to the music compared to going straight to PS. You can adjust the tonality a bit with the impedence settings both on SUT and PS. 

I have horn tweeters, and horn mids, and they would reveal any hiss or hum, I have none happily. The FRT-4 SUT has zero hum in my system.

IF you know you will stick with a single arm, with removable headshells for optional pre-mounted cartridges, the Ortofon T30 has 5 optional gain/loads and PASS for MM

I never heard one, I found it’s specs a long time ago

 

Example: my AT33ptg/II has 0.3mv/10 ohm coil.

LOAD: 'Try For' Formula says coil impedance x 10, so target is 100 ohm load. The 12 ohm setting yields a 118 ohm load, so use that. That setting's GAIN equates to x factor 20, thus signal would be 0.3mv x 20 = 6mv which is more than enough, question becomes too much, might cause overload? probably not.

My FRT-4 setting marked 10 is identical to Ortofon's setting marked 12, both +26db, x factor 20, resultant load 118 ohms, it's like the rules of Bridge, don't ask why, just learn the rules and play.

If you want top of the line or near top of the line, one option would be the (current-based) CH Precision P1, with or without the X1.  Another approach with SUT would be Ypsilon VPS100, or the EMIA LR Phono Corrector.

@dcaudio

Look into this hidden jewel from Japan. Direct ship to you for under $800. Dedicated gain for Low and High MC carts.

http://softone.a.la9.jp/english/Model4/m4-1.htm

Transimpedance stages like the TZ Vibe will not match well with high impedance cartridges like the Denon/Zu.