phono pre loading and gain question

Marty, I have the Shelter and I use a Cotter step-up with 20db gain, a phono stage with 46db gain, and a line stage with 20db gain. That adds up to 86db gain, prior to entering the amplifier. I think that I am running a little "hot" and could drop back to about 80db without compromising anything. But I think that cartridge really needs about 80+db total gain in the front end before going to the amp.

You can do with less, but then you have to crank the volume, and raise the noise floor with it. I have also found that when you try to run the Shelter with too little phono gain, it suffers dynamically and sounds lifeless. I tried going direct into the phono stage and eliminating the 20db gain of the Cotter, and found it totally unsuitable with only 66db total gain in the front end. It was "dead" sounding that way. I put the Cotter back inline, and it was great. No contest.

On the other hand, unless the amplifier input is very sensitive (like the Monarchy Audio SM-70) and the speakers are very efficient (maybe 95 dB/watt or better), TWL is probably correct that the 68 dB of overall preamplification would not provide adequate volume levels with the Shelter 501.

To add to Plato's point, I have 100db speakers and my amp only requires three-tenths of a volt input to reach max output.

Just to add more of my equipment. (and thanks for the help)I have a Sonic Frontiers Power 1 connected with balanced cables to the Sonic Frontiers Line 1 and all that goes into Infinity Overture 3s which have a sensitivity of 93-94db.