Is this possible?


I have a friend who tells me that he uses a very low output MC with a SUT and then directly into a line stage...not into a phono stage. I was under the impression ( maybe mistakenly) that one needed at least some kind of phono stage due to the RIAA requirement to utilize a SUT. Thoughts? 
128x128daveyf
Dear @daveyf : With out inverse RIAA eq. that can't be in any way no matters what.

If your friend is listening everything in good shape then his line stage in reality is a phonolinepreamp, that's all.

Which cartridge  is using?

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
I was under the impression ( maybe mistakenly) that one needed at least some kind of phono stage due to the RIAA requirement to utilize a SUT.
You need a phono section with RIAA eq to use any phono cartridge using a magnetic operating principle, SUT or not.
Ralph, that is what my impression was. So, I have asked my friend to clarify. He uses a Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum and If I remember a Air Tight SUT, which runs into his Air Tight line stage preamp...but I will confirm.
davey, No way his "linestage" does not have an RIAA equalization circuit after the input gain stage, if it really works.  Not only is RIAA imperative, but also a true linestage input would never have enough gain for the Koetsu to perform properly.
 @tablejockey  Great assumption, as this is the preamp that he is using, and sure enough, he was unaware of the MM input! Runs the SUT into the MM input...:0)  
I was seriously thinking that I needed to go back to analog school...not yet, I guess. 
I know owners of VERY nice equipment and they're not aware of  a feature or two.

Actually, an ideal state of being to exist in. Probably doesn't worry over cable and all the other things we obsess about! Just use it for the music.