Phono Preamp Tube Rush

It’s all relative. There will always be phonostage hiss, whether tube or solid state. The goal is to get it quiet enough such that it is lower than silent groove noise. How much SNR is enough?

I just tested my system (Piccolo2 - Cornet3 - Tuba) at full volume into an HP400 AC meter. The difference between a silent groove (my best is the Hi-Fi News Analog Test LP) and the tonearm up is 9dB. Perhaps not numerically impressive, but it’s like night and day listening-wise. The uncorrelated groove noise sounds way louder.

Forgot to mention, this is with a Dynavector 20XL MC cart (0.3mV) into 100 ohm loading...

All tube phono with low output MC is probably impossible to get really low noise.
Low gain tube phono + SUT has been what I've used for the past 8 years. 
Cary PH302 has low 38dB MM stage and I'm currently using with Cinemag 1131 on 26dB (1:20) setting. I'm using vintage NOS tubes. Super quiet and dynamic with the Denon 103R.

SUT is the easiest way to get low noise input.  Works very well. 

I'm thinking all-tube may be possible using a pentode into a load of 10k or less.  Then again, microphonics will become the new problem... 

So curiosity got the best of me and I decided to try replacing the original EH 12AX7 1st gain stage tubes in my Herron VTPHA2A just to see if I could reduce the noise floor a tad.  I went with Gold Lion reissue ECC83/12AX7 tubes from Upscale Audio - ordering the quietest option they provide.  My expectations for improvement (over an already gorgeous sonic presentation in Keith's stock tubes) weren't particularly high but I was pleasantly surprised when I immediately realized a notable difference.  Tube rush, and still only at very high volumes, was reduced probably a few dB but even more surprisingly the sound character changed for the better as well - the Gold Lions delivering a very smooth, more richly dynamic presentation that's been improving further over the 10-12 hrs I have on them now.  Just thought I'd share the experience with anyone interested.

^ that’s good to know sir - ty!