Phono Stage Gain - how does it impact sound?

@macg19 thanks! Trying a bigger amp is something I’m considering as well. I do love the sound of Pass Labs XA30.8 though. It’ll be sad if it’s underpowered for these speakers. 

@rdk777 thanks! The bass is fine in my system with digital playback. My room is relatively small and the Sabrinas pressurize it well. Not a fan of subs in a 2ch system…

@lewm yup. You may be right too. It’s settling in nicely. 

@arize84 you’re confirming my suspicion. 

@lewm I can’t find the input sensitivity for my Pass XP-12. It’s rated at 9.3db gain.
 

I’m running the Sutherland single ended into the XP-12 and XLRs from XP-12 to Pass XA-30.8 amp. There’s no compatibility issues between the Pass components. Speakers are Wilson Sabrina rated at 87db, 4ohm.

True I can crank the volume up on the preamp but that’s not the solution as I’m talking lack of bass slam at 86-90db listening levels. It’s not terrible by any means but I’m still wondering if the 60db from the Vibe is sufficient.

Good point on cartridge suspension, it hadn’t have a chance to settle yet.

@chayro never heard TZ Vibe. I don’t find the KC Vibe MkII lean and steely sounding at all. The sound is very engaging. 

@chayro I see. Ok. 

@mulveling yup that’s what I’m thinking too. 
@lewm the XA-30.8 is 30w in Class A. It goes out of Class A and well beyond its rated 30w/ch. When that happens the meter starts moving indicating it’s exited Class A. I rarely see that take place. I should be able to get a more powerful amp to test it though. We’ll see. And yes letting the ML break in. Playing record after record. 

@lalitk we’ll see after I get 40-50hrs on the ML. I’m more inclined to give a Sutherland 20/20 with a higher gain setting available (64db) than having to add a sub.
As far as ML sound quality, I can tell you and everyone looking into a cartridge upgrade…jaw dropping difference switching from EL to ML. Exceeded my expectations.

@lewm I hope you right! That would be the best case scenario. 
Room is small. If you click on details under my user name you can see my setup. 

@dogberry makes sense to me.

Ran it all day while working today and added another 7-8hrs.
Sounds amazing, there’s just no other word for it. Relaxed, zero fatigue listening to it all day on and off. I believe the bass is somewhat coming around and improving with more play time on the cartridge. Threw on few classical records, Dire Straits and some new Steely Dan (Analog Productions “Everything Must Go” 45rpm). It requires 8-10 more volume clicks than my benchmark DAC does but I run the benchmark into the XP-12 with a pair of XLRs.
As I said I’m not too worried, I’ll make it work. Worst case I’ll try a higher gain phono stage and see if it makes any difference. But for now I’m going to be patient until I have around 40-50hrs on this cartridge. 
Thanks all!!!

@ticat

50 hours minimun to break in... patience grass Hopper...

doing my best…

@rauliruegas yup that’s the only plan for now. And yes I’m running it @2gr VTF which is the recommended stylus force. Initial setting was 1.97-1.98gr but I changed it to 2gr

Update…the new Hana ML is settling in nicely. The bass is not so much a concern anymore. I’ve played a lot of records so far and am massively impressed with the sound quality. Looks like the break in is a thing with this cartridge and more so than with any other cartridge I owned in the past. The UltraDeck together with the Sutherland KC Vibe MkII just let it all shine. And this is with the BlueJeans RCA between the phono stage and my preamp! That’ll be a link in this chain that begs for an upgrade now. I haven’t tried any other phono stage with higher gain yet but am not in a hurry to do so yet.
Also, the ML exposed certain qualities in my digital playback that I’m considering a DAC upgrade now (currently using Benchmark DAC 3 HGC) to get that same type of relaxed and vibrant presentation. 
 

Thanks all for keeping me sane thru this process! Much appreciated!

@lalitk not sure yet anything is possible :)

need to get something that’s on the level with the rest of my gear. Benchmark is great by way and it won’t be easy to beat it.