something is wrong here, but what is it?

Here is my set up: CJ PF-R Pre, CJ MV-55 tube amp and a CJ PV-10A used for a standalone phono pre. When I play any source other than phono, the sound is just fine and the amp works nicely, when I switch to phono, the sound is low (I have a low output cart. Benz Micro Ref.)and as soon as I bring the volume to a decent listening level, my bias lights start going crazy, the blue gaseous lights in the EL34s start flickering and the distortion is very painful.
The Amp and the PV-10 tubes are fairly new. What am I missing? all comments are greatly appreciated.
thanks
Shahen