Dynavector XV1-S and step-up

Thanks guys - appreciate all this. Have to read the posts at least 2-3 times, but am starting to get it. Good education.

In my experience, the Dynavector XV-1s cartridge performs best at a loading somewhere between 100 - 150 Ohms. As Lewm indicated, the 30 Ohm loading specified by the manufacturer is intended to be a bottom-end limit and is not intended to indicate the optimal resistive load for the cartridge.

IME, the XV-1s begins to sound dark and lifeless when the input impedance is dropped below 100 Ohms.

Thanks. Oddly enough, the MC input on my Shindo is:

Phono MC（RCA Pin Jack ) Input Sensitivity/Impedance：0.2mV/2 -100Ω.

Perhaps I should stop fiddling and just use the internal MC step up? I am curious to experiment with it though.

Cincy_bob: any thoughts on a worthwhile avenue to explore in terms of SUTs? Looks like the A23 Hommage, Kondo KSL (both very expensive), EAR MC4 (highly adjustable it seems, and more "reasonable").

Hatari, sorry but I don't really have any experience implementing external SUTs in my own audio systems. The guys who posted above are probably in a better position to comment on the technical aspects and compatibility of those specific SUTs you are exploring.

Hatari, By all means, if your Shindo already has a built-in MC section utilizing an internal SUT, you should go ahead and use it. The SUT was obviously selected and designed into the circuit for the most seamless possible match. It is unlikely that you can do any better, or even as well, with an external SUT connected thru your MM input. Don't make this stuff harder and more expensive than it already needs to be. Sheesh.