low output mc: noise free listening possible?

No noise (at all) from my Modwright SWLP (separate power supply).

No noise from my Lehmann SE. Through Audio Mirror PP1 linestage side or through Crimson Electric 510.

Slight background buzz at relatively high levels with Audio Mirror PP1 noticeable between tracks. Power supply on chassis with tubes, etc. Price compromise on a good sounding line stage tube pre.

Lesson - watch out for placement of power supply with tube pre's and phono stages. On that latter PP1 the overall benefits of the pre make the compromise acceptable...

Using DL103 and GAS Sleeping Beauty alternately, both relatively low output.

BTW XONO's freekin awesome too.

cheers

finski

For an output that low, I would go solid state and look for a gain structure around 65dB (or more).

That's not to say a tubed phono stage can't work but you'll need to be careful with your choice.

Regarding your cartridge, if you take any 10 solid state phono stages there's a good chance they will be quieter than their 10 tubed counterparts.

IMO

I agree with the above but the difference between a well designed tube and SS unit will only be a bit of tube hiss. It will be at a level that you have to get your ear pretty close to the speaker to hear so I see it as a non-issue.

It depends. The preamp gain, speaker and amplifier sensitivity all come into play. I have a 0.24mV cartridge playing through a 66 db gain SS phono stage, which used to be enough. Then I sold my ARC preamp and BAT amp and bought an VAC integrated amp.....now, it's not enough gain.
Same catridge, same phono stage and speakers, different results. When considering noise free listening, it's not just the cartridge and phono stage, but the entire system that comes into play.

Cheers,
John

The Aqvox is one that you should have on your list. Balanced inputs and outputs contribute to a very low noise presentation with fully adjustable gain between 60-75 db for low output MC.

It's dead quiet with my Denon 103R.