Cartridge and/or phono stage upgrades

I love the sound of my recent upgrade to a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum through the Sutherland Duo.  This does need a fairly high mass arm, I added a 3gm weight to the JMW Memorial unipivot arm on my elderly Scoutmaster.

Superb resolution, gorgeous mid-range, excellent treble and bass.  The bass was ever so slightly wooly without the weight.  The upgrade from the Koetsu Black was far greater than I had expected.

Sutherland now have a range of "current mode", transimpedance phono stages, one of these may be a fabulous pairing with the very low impedance (and output) of the Koetsu.  I am contemplating trying a change to one of these

The Loco is available at a discount from Upscale Audio, but note that this product requires balanced input and thus a new junction box on the TT and XLR phono interconnects. There are other Sutherland transimpedance stages that work with RCA cables.

A terrific cartridge for that table/arm would be the AT OC-9 (or modern variants). Very under appreciated value and an over-achiever. I’ve been truly impressed by the Aurorasound phonostages. I use a Vida MK2 in my reference system, which outperformed my trusted Herron VTPH-2A. I’ve sold a few “entry level” Prima’s to clients who have been blown away. At $1350 it’s pretty hard to beat. Reach out if I can help at all with your decision. Dealer disclaimer applies!

I was looking to upgrade my phono stage for my Lyra Kleos. Modwright and some others were on the list. Instead I bought a Sound-Smith Sussurro MKII Gold, Sound-Smith's MC phono stage, and an SBooster power supply. I was able to buy a demo cartridge from an authorized dealer at a significant discount but with Sound-smith's retipping policy it was a no brainer. 

I have had both the JC3+ and the Herron. What I have now is more musical to my ears. It may just that I prefer the SS to the Lyra. 

For me it’s DS Audio. I can’t go back to MM or MC ever again. The Hype is Real as so many have already said.

You have a good phono pre and would get way more out of a top quality cart

I went  through your plight recently and got  a Lyra Kleos SL

Ciuld not be happier