SUT experience

I’m following along. As pleased as I am currently, I think my next upgrade is the phono stage for sure. My turntables are 100% restored, my cartridges are where I want to be. My flea watt amps get too loud for my heavily treated room.  I have a 21” horn sub, a PB16 ultra, and 3 sets of Altec speakers with custom crossovers. Being an underpaid Paramedic only allows me to spend about 10K annually on this hobby including record purchases. I’ll likely make a move on a phono stage late summer this year. I’d probably spend 3-4K realistically. Any more may not be appreciated at my mid-fi level of everything else but that is my plan today. I just need to continue to study so that I make a good choice.  As with a lot of things, I can’t afford an expensive one twice.  The pro-ject cost me one 12 hour shift so it was a fair trade. In my ignorance I thought the Mac was IT !  lol. I’m learning.  Thank you all. 

This is an interesting discussion.  I generally like the sound of the distortions added when an SUT is inserted into the chain, but find that there is no universal truth.  Of course adding one requires an additional set of phono cables and that can add a considerable expense.  My best SUT, a Consolidated made in Germany, cost several thousand dollars.  At the moment it is not in use.  That is not sensible.  On the other hand, I have several phono stages not in use right now either, such as the one discussed here from PS Audio, and one from Switzerland that cost close to $50k a decade or more ago according the guy who I got it from.  All boat anchors right now.  Currently I am listening to the new Conrad Johnson ART Phono.  Every one of these options is wonderful and they all have distortions.  Don't let anyone try to deceive you.  My advice with respect to any option is to try it and let your own ears tell you what sounds best to you.  Everything will have some distortion.  Who cares?  All that matters in the end is the music.

Exactly.  As I sit here listening, I try to listen to the music and not the equipment but we all know that is hard to do 

Distortion will be Detraction.

The conundrum is the broadness’ of individuals expressing sensitivities/bias to the impression made from the detected presence of the colouration that can generate.

The are many many electronic devices that are measured to have no seen distortion in the shape of the signal or the shape of the sound curve. The Waveform is as expected for Audio Equipment purposes.

With such equipment in use, there will be listeners who’s sensitivities/bias that is detecting a detractor. Individuals who are living a proportion of their lives being entertained through the use of audio equipment, generally keep close to them equipment that is in their assessment not classed as having noticeable detractors.

In relation to the frequencies that trigger the bias, it is each to their own on this matter.

I know through the explanation of the OP, I would find great contentment listening to my Chicago Blues Artists through their set up, as I deliberately add colour to my own system for these periods set aside for listening to this genre.

Alternatively it is this colour added, that is the one that has the Amygdala produce the chemical reactions that seem most rewarding, especially when present in conjunction with recollected experiences.

Math is everything, it explains much, but for most, is a subject not interrogated to be understood, it is entity that is present and trusted.

The Math in Electronics/Physics is only one element to the equation, there is also the Math belonging to the Chemistry in the Human that has equal importance.

Multi Trillions of Chemical Reactions occur within a Human Body daily, of which how many trillions relate to being in a particular environment and having a reaction to it will be a unknown.

It will be a very weak case to suggest there is a single math formula, especially relating to Electronics Math Equation, that is the correct approach to be produce individuals that are equally stimulated by the end product.

It is the variety of Electronic/Physical Math that is to be encountered and is also required to influence harmoniously with the uniqueness of the Biomathematics taking place in each individual.

Forums do have a element of discussion, where an individual shares with a context, that is suggesting their way is without doubt the better path chosen.

This narrow field of view seemingly completely overlooks the uniqueness of each individual and how they relate to sound on a particular environment, especially sound produced in a unique space as a result of using an audio system. 

If you’re really going to purchase a new phono stage, then do consider the PS Audio Stellar, as Raul suggested. But if your proclivities are toward a “vintage” sound, then you may also want to consider a modern tube based full function preamplifier to replace both the Mac and the Project in one fell swoop. I’d consider Quicksilver, Hegerman, VAC, Audio Research, etc. Many others are good too. For accuracy, the Stellar stands out.