Phono preamp or SUT for low output moving coil

Virudian, but how about a situation where the internal R of the cartridge is well below the input Z of the phono stage? These days that’s quite possible. Is that now voltage drive, or what? There are now several LOMCs with R less that 2 ohms and several “trans impedance” phono stages with Z greater than 2 ohms, even up to 12 ohms. I don’t know about the Sutherland in particular. Anyway, I only point this out because it may explain my actual listening experience. And those of some others. And what I hear is that each mating can give a qualitatively different result, sufficient gain is not the problem.

Allnic AUT 8000. I’ve been pleased with mine for 2 years in a horn system. 

I feel like I just dropped into MIT for a class in electronics when I belong in a community college class for basic electricity.  My head is spinning from all of your knowledge.  I’ve just recently decided to go back to vinyl and all of your comments are greatly appreciated in helping me.  it’s the reason I follow this forum.

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.

First you have to figure out how much gain you want/need.

Both your phono stages run around 60db which is good for most MC carts.

I run a cart with 0.2mv and run at about 75db (1:15, 30ohm) which is a lot for me.  If I need more volume, I just turn it up.  I'm a bit wary of sending to much to my phono stage since it's already high gain.

I run Hashimoto HM-7 adjustable 1:15/30.  I'm thinking of going non adjustable 1:20.

The Fidelity Research FR4 above might be a good starting place.  Fidelity Research has some Ikeda roots.

For a high gain phono stage, the Modwright PH9.0 is 52/64db, 58/70db with the X upgrade, which I did.