Ortofon 309 vs. SME 3012 for SPUs

Latinsambal appears to be using a Tron 7 preamp. The Tron phono uses a step up transformer internally for MC's already to amplify 0.3mv signal. Latinsambal might well be able to run cartridges down to 0.2mv depending on the gain structure of his preamp and power amp. He will have to turn the volume up - and result will be dependent on the noise floor being acceptable and whether he loses dynamics.

Pani you obviously haven't heard a decent all tube phono stage. In my experience most SUT's are coloured and compromise the sound. It's taken me years to find a couple of good SUT's that dont compress, lose transparency and dont degrade the sound. My Marantz 7 ( modded ) will amplify 0.25mv up with no noise and gain to spare. I only use SUT's with MC's at 0.15-0.2mv - Dynavector Karat Nova 13D, Ikeda Kiwame & Fidelity Research FR1mk3.

Conversely I also have a solid state head amp built by Reto Andreoli, who produces the Magic Diamond cartridges, that trounces most SUT's - pulls more detail through the midrange and is far less coloured.

Hi Dover,

Yes, the Tron Seven I have is the Ultimate version with silver wiring and silver transformers. It has 68db of gain on the MC input. With my Windfeld cartridge (0.3MV output) and SET amps my listening level is between 8:30 and 9 o'clock. Past 9'oclock produces eviction-notice sound levels :) The preamp is absolutely silent at any volume level I have tried.

I'm still thinking that the Silver Meister GM MKII might be a great choice for me given that I love the sound of the Windfeld. Does anyone know what the differences are between the older Silver Meister and the new MKII version?

Dover, you are possibly right, most tube phonostages I have heard uses an SUT inside for the first level of amplification. You possibly mean a full tube amplifier phonostage without any SUT, can you please suggest examples that you think are worth considering ?

Most SS phonostages I have heard, even the good ones sound nice but with a good SUT, gain a certain grace in the sonics.

Pani - there are not a lot of tube preamps that can amplify MC's with all tubes in the phono. The Marantz has seen off my old Jadis, Manley Ref, Klyne ( all owned ) and quite a few others.
The Conrad Johnson TEA2SE is ok for about 0.4mv up, no trannies.
CAT preamps are quite good. Heard one recently sounding very good with Micro Seiki 5000/Graham Phantom/Benz.
Some of the early VTL's had all tube MC capability, but the output impedances from the line stage really only suit tube power amps.
Wavelength Audio phono - this would be my choice.
TW Acustic Raven does a very high gain full tube based phono on the Thoress preamp.

you should try to find a japanese only 500-limited edition of SPU "spirit". it ain't silver wired but a rumour among Japanese audiophiles is it has the best price/performance ratio compared to any SPU. it ain't exactly a silver meister but it cost 40% less while performing significantly better than classic (for 20% more), especially on modern production.