Phono preamp or SUT for low output moving coil

What lewm explains is extremely important for people to understand if they want to use an SUT.  I had to address this problem myself when I bought my SoundSmith Hyperion and then tried it with an SUT.  I have two actually and both have 10:1 ratios for this very reason.   One of them also has the option of 5:1.  Fortunately I have found 10:1 is adequate with my phono stage.

It is important to understand the subjective factor in the sound of these things.  I have a PS Audio Stellar that I use in one of my systems that I bought in large part of the basis of Mikey Fremer's review.  It is excellent in every way and I am happy to own it.  Is it as good as my Conrad-Johnson ART Phono no, but it costs maybe 1/10 the price too.  It is not as good as my friend's CH either, but it cost almost almost twice what the C-J did.  Another friend has a Sutherland that sounds excellent too, as it should at ~$4K.  Each of these is different, each has a place.  These is no such thing as the best one.

Hi Raul,

What is essential for me, and you and I had discussed this some time ago and reached agreement, is that any phono stage must - MUST - accurately amplify the signal it is processing in accordance with the RIAA curve.  The Stellar happens to do this very well.  Everything else, and I mean that literally, is secondary to that requirement.  And yet very few do including many very expensive ones. 

I agree with most of what has been discussed, but would like to point out that there is no conflict between the use of an SUT and choosing a phono stage that has an accurate RIAA curve.  I guarantee that the the use of the two together can be serendipitous.

You will probably not be surprised by my answer.  Measurements get us to a certain point, they do not absolve us of the responsibility, or perhaps even better, the necessity to listen and decide what sounds we prefer.  It is usually the case, but not always, that someone who knows how to listen will prefer equipment that both measures well and reproduces accurately.  Of course taste comes into it too, hence looking at audio broadly there are horns, dipoles (electrostatic and planar) tubes, various solid state devices, Class A, AB, D, MM, MC, digital and analog this and that and all manner of other equipment variables.  All technologies can measure well, all have distinct sonic signatures, and of course all have their adherents.  So it is not possible for me to answer your question in a definitive manner.  Subjectively though, to your question how accurate is accurate enough? The answer is accurate enough to please the principle listening audience.