From Benz to?

Impedance: 38 ohms

Not recommended for use with SUTs by Benz, however I believe one with 4-5 transformation ratio will work if the total (phono) gain is still in the mid 60s min.

@vusi_khumalo

Thanks, is it a general rule of thumb that cartridges with lower internal impedances are more optimally matched to SUTs than those with higher impedances? There is quite an impedance difference between the Ebony (~8ohms) vs the 38 ohms LPS. Never noticed that before. Still I’m impressed how well the LPs fares with the Zestos at 1000ohms (this is max for MC on the Zestos), even though this whole time I haven’t been running it optimally. I think it’s pretty obvious I’m a set it and forget it sort of guy and probably should look into this a bit more...

1. Lots has been written about LPS | SUT mismatching/incompability, you may Google...

2. I doubt XV1-S can touch Ebony L in performance, and since you like the LPS then L will sound similar but better with your phono.

3. Consider demoing & buying an ’active’ phono and keeping the LPS.

4. The Ebony L costs $2k NIB for the last few years from a seller on Audiigon, all carts that may better its performance cost much more than that.

Personally, I preferred an XV-1S to the LPS. I found the LPS very coloured with a very distinctive voicing. The XV-1S is still on the warmer side of neutral but is faster and more dynamic, and less coloured. It also matches well with an SUT.

But like others earlier in the thread, I sold my LPS and XV-1S (and my earlier Lyras - Delos and Etna SL) and went in the direction of Ortofon. I have the Cadenza Black, Bronze, Windfeld Ti and Jubilee. All are great, the best tracking cartridges I have used, without the colourations of the wood bodied cartridges, neutral and yet musical and dynamic. The Windfeld Ti is excellent if your phono stage can cope with the very low output. But personally, my favourite is  the older MC Jubilee, which I bought new from Ortofon last year as part of their "Treasure Trove" release of re-built cartridges.

FWIW The LPS sounds much better through the Zestos vs the active SS Pass XP15 that preceded it but that may be a function of how well the Zestos is designed, and its tubes.  Thanks to all for your suggestions!