Phono preamp or SUT for low output moving coil

Herman, the word you omitted in describing the input impedance of the EMIA is “high”. The EMIA has a high input Z to facilitate using it with LOMC cartridges that work best into high-ish impedance, specifically cartridges that have high internal resistance, like some Denons and some Benz cartridges or low output MI cartridges that have high inductance, even though their internal resistance can be low. In such cases the EMIA can safely be mated to their SUTs while still properly loading LOMCs with high internal R. 

On the issue of the needed accuracy of RIAA, I tend to agree with you that there is such a thing as “close enough” to perfect; I would not choose one phono with .05 db accuracy over another with 0.1db accuracy, if I otherwise preferred the SQ of the latter one, but the argument that can be made for very high accuracy is why add another source of error (= distortion) to a reproductive process that is already fraught with other sources of distortion? I think there is such a thing as accurate enough.

"Much better to have a phono stage with a very ______ input impedance like the EMIA LR (300kΩ is standard),"

Herman, the word you omitted in describing the input impedance of the EMIA is “high”.

thanks, yes, I did unintentionally omit the word "high" , but "very high" would be an even better description 

The EMIA has a high input Z to facilitate using it with LOMC cartridges that work best into high-ish impedance,

yes, and to be more specific, if you have a fairly standard 1:20 SUT into 47KΩ the highest load you can achieve is 118Ω (47,000 divided by 400) .. Into 300KΩ that will be 750Ω. If you then want it lower you can load the primary. Slagle has a handy calculator on his site. https://intactaudio.com/tran.html and scroll down

the standard 47KΩ came about back in the days of MM only cartridges and is not ideal for those of us who use MC. Here are a few interesting reads, All credit for what I know about it goes to Dave Slagle.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/dispelling-myth-about-phono-cartridge-loading

https://intactaudio.com/SUT%20design.html

Actually, you can change the load resistor in any MM stage to whatever value you prefer, if you can identify it and can solder.

The Rogue Ares phono stage also allows loading a SUT at 100K or 1 MEG ohms (in addition to the usual 47K option), and has done so since its introduction ~ 2010. It's certainly a rare feature that I wish was far more common! Yes, it allows a cartridge like Benz Ruby / LPS to play happily on a SUT.

For the most part, even phono stages that brag massive loading flexibility lock down to 47K once you flip to MM mode, much to my chagrin. 

@herman

I really appreciate your contributions here. They provide good information on SUT’s designs and careful selection of SUT’s for anyone looking to pursue this route. 

I believe you’re right, the EMIA’s design with a higher input impedance makes it particularly well-suited for low-output moving coil (LOMC) cartridges that benefit from higher loading impedance. The standard 47kΩ load, a legacy from the moving magnet (MM) era, often results in suboptimal performance for MC cartridges, which typically need more tailored loading for the best sonic results.

If I interpret correctly what you said, using a step-up transformer (SUT) with a high-impedance load like 300kΩ opens up much more flexibility. The higher impedance allows for better cartridge damping and less tonal constriction, especially with LOMCs that thrive in the 500–1,000Ω range. The example of a 1:20 ratio yielding 750Ω into 300kΩ is a great illustration of how dramatically this can improve compatibility compared to the more restrictive 118Ω with the standard 47kΩ.

Loading the primary to fine-tune impedance is another clever technique, and Dave Slagle’s calculator is an excellent resource for those looking to experiment.