SUT suggestions for Audio Note System

Thanks very much for taking the time to look into the specs. 3 posts above I mentioned the specs of the m6 phono V4. Mine is a V2 so there could be a difference. Did the specs that you found come from a version 2 manual?  The V4 manual shows the phono at 68db and the line at 16db.  I thought I would mention this as it does change the end db figures.  I’m not sure if those numbers make a difference or not. Again thanks for the effort. 
 

I am starting to Leen the way of getting a quality multi setting SUT to allow for trying other cartridges. Any thoughts on that?

@pkvintage 

I couldn't find a manual for your v2 version on the Audionote website.

I would suggest you try your Koetsu straight into the phono without a step up and you will get a feel for how much extra gain, if any you need. If for example you have enough gain, but the volume pot is high and you are getting a high noise floor, then you would need a low gain step up - say 1:5 to 1:10.

I use to run a Koetsu black goldline straight into my modded Marantz 7 mm input at 47k, and had plenty of gain with low noise floor when I used sensitive tube power amps - eg Quicksilver monos at the time and some power amps.

These days I use a custom built current mode mc step up into the Marantz phono.

I believe Sutherland produces something similar - Sutherland SUTZ. 

I have some pretty exotic SUT's in the cupboard and none of them are as transparent as the current mode step up. I do concede though that some folk like the "sound" of a SUT - they are all different.

You could always go a buy some vintage SUT's such as the Entre ET100 at a modest price to have a play with before you spend up large

I would suggest you contact Audionote with the serial numbers of your unit sop you can confirm exactly what the specs are for your phono.

Update

So I hooked up a MM high output Grace F9 up to the M6 phono. It was far too loud. Even 1 on the dial was too loud for late night listening and four was a very uncomfortable level. Dover suggested that I hook my Koetsu black MC straight into the MM phono. So I did that and the volume is perfect. One or two on the dial for late night listing 3-4 nice comfortable daytime listing and 5 if I want to push it. So the question is did I just saved myself $5K on a SUT or am I missing something by not using an SUT. It is evident that I could undoubtedly use a low level SUT which means I could find a used Audio Note as they are usually available..

@pkvintage 

That's great info.

The Audionote SUT's are very high gain - designed for their very low output cartridges. Based on your results any SUT is probably going to result in too much gain. The AN ones will be unusable with the Koetsu.

Bottom line is - how does it sound. Are you happy. If so sit back and enjoy the system. I know a lot of people running Koetsus straight into tube MM phonos at 47k with excellent results provided there is enough gain.

Interesting options for you down the road could be cartridges around 1mv output such as the Grado Signatures, or EMT mc range which are around 1mv output.

Spend your money on records.

I spoke with Audio Note and they told me that it would be fine to run the system this way but I am leaving sound quality on the table by not matching the impedance of the Koetsu. The reason I am able to run it this way is because of the amount of gain I have in the system. The amps are 18 W, the M6 has a lot of gain, and my speakers are 98DB. The solution is to modify the amplifiers to the low gain version which is not difficult or costly. I then have to get a medium output SUT in the 15 to 20 ohm range. And here I thought I could save some money. LOL.