SUT With a Manley Steelhead RC?

@mulveling Thanks for your reply.  If I do buy an SUT it will probably be the MSL model, since it's made for their cartridges.  I've spent less money that that on a very good phono preamp so it's hard to justify, but it's an itch I've had for a long time.  I also have to buy a good RCA phono cable to link everything up.  It sounds like I'm trying to talk myself out of this, eh?  

@artemus_5 I can see what you mean, which is actually why I asked the question, but I'm always interested in squeezing out more performance from my analog setup.  I have never tried a SUT, and have heard many good things about them in reviews I've read.  Art Dudley often wrote lovingly about his experiences, and I respected his opinions in general.  I'm baffled by the fact that when I asked three of my local high end audio shops about SUTs that they had no idea what I was talking about!  However, when I lived in Japan I learned that many users of high end rigs swear by them.  

@billstevenson Thanks for your kind offer to lend me your Bob's Devices SUT.  I will let you know if I want to take you up on the offer.

@lewm Yes, I had heard that this is an option.  I might try it.

Honestly, the gain is not the issue through the MC input.  I have plenty.  And I honestly have zero complaints with the sound of the Steelhead in general.  

Just curious if the MSL SUT would optimize the gain for the cart.  I guess the only way to know would be to buy one and try it.  I tried to buy one when I was in Japan last fall but every store that had a display model would not sell it to me, saying I would have to special order one.  I was only there for two weeks so that was really not going to work.  Now they seem to be available again, but I don't feel as motivated as I was then.  Ho hum...

@lewm Matching the gain setting on the SUT or preamp with cartridge output rating.  It sounds very different when changing the settings.  Sometimes if too much gain is added the sound it harsh and unrefined.  When not enough gain is added the music sounds flat and lacks energy.  In essence, matching the gain to the output of the cart.  What I've heard is that the MSL SUT is made specifically for their cartridges.  Whether this results in optimal performance or not is what makes me consider buying one.  Cheers

@rsf507 Thanks for responding.  What phono preamp was feeding into with the MSL SUT?

@lewm Thanks for this.  I don't understand all of this fluently, but I'm getting there.  Your help is appreciated.

Cheers

@car123 Per your suggestion, last night I connected the TT to the MM input of the Steelhead and maxed the gain.  At first I kind of liked it, because there was excitement in the sound, but after awhile I couldn't listen anymore and switched it back. to the MC input.  The noise floor seemed much higher in MM.  After I switched it back I thought I should have tried backing off the gain to see how it sounds, so maybe I will try that soon.  Your suggestion had been mentioned to me previously when I first bought the Manley, so I know it has merit.  I just wasn't happy with the first attempt.  I appreciate your help