Calling all ZYX aficionados

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Bryanp,
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If it is anywhere in your budget, get the UNIverse over the Airy3. The Airy3 is outstanding, but the UNIverse is phenomenally better and well worth the difference in price.
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I had the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum before trying the Airy2, Airy3 and UNIverese in my system on the same weekend listening to the same music with 3 friends and all were in complete agreement. The Airy2 was clearly better than the Koetsu RSP (which I loved), the Airy3 was faster, had more detail and better dynamics than the Airy2 but was a bit too bright in my system and the UNIverse was just head and shoulders better than the Airy3. It had more speed, better dynamics and better detail than the Airy3 but was incredibly more musical and magical without any of the brightness.
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The UNIverse is just one of the best cartridges available by a clear margin.
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I am guessing that you will have enough gain, but perhaps someone else would be more qualified to answer the gain question.
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Rgds,
Larry

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Bryanp,
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P.S. I have a Teres 340 paired with my ZYX UNIverse.
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Rgds,
Larry
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I'll second Cello's suggestion on the UNIverse. My cartridge progression has been:

Shelter 501
Shelter 90X (audition)
Airy 3
UNIverse

The Airy 3 bested the Shelter 90X and finalized my decision to jump on the ZYX bandwagon. I had an opportunity to audition a UNIverse in my system, and there was no turning back after the first few seconds.

As good as the Airy3 is, the UNIverse is in an entirely different league. It perfectly balances all of the usual audiophile traits: transparency without glare, soundstaging without etching, PRAT and ease, detail without fatique. I could go on and on.

I have never been more satisfied with my system since owning this cartridge. I've matched it with a TriPlanar arm and an Amazon Model 1 turntable.

As far as gain is concerned, my Thor TA-2000 preamp has 20db of gain on the MC input, which is more than enough. I find that I set the volume knob about 2db louder than my CD input to get equivalent volume levels.

BTW, Mehran of SORASound is one of the nicest, service-oriented people in this hobby of ours. When you speak with him feel free to mention my name (Wayne).