DL-103 + A23 SUT + Pro-Ject Tube Box DS = ?


I plan on trying my newly modded by Zu DL-103 here pretty soon.  I have an Auditorium 23 SUT and Pro-Ject Tube Box DS is my phono stage (unmodified, stock tubes). I know, I am broke right now.  What settings should I use on the phono stage?

Pioneer PLX-1000/DL-103 --> A23 SUT --> Pro-Ject Tube Box DS --> Cary SLP-05 preamp via Acoustic Zen Wow! II RCAs

Here is a link to it's manual with jumper settings, etc:

https://www.project-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Manual_Tube-Box-DS.pdf
Thanks in advance, evevrybody!
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xchattaudio
Most SUT's are expecting to see 47K ohm loading at the phono preamp so I would go with that. As far as capacitance I don't think it's near as important as a MM cart so set it at about 200pf and see how it sounds.That A23 is VERY nice, my buddy uses one for his DL-103 cart on his Garrard 401. Sounds very good into his Shindo phono preamp.
I'm using a Denon AU-320 for my DL-103 and am happy with that as well but if the right deal came along on a A23...........
BillWojo
Reading reviews is interesting, but reviewers all have their own value rating system, which makes for a difficult comparison.

Is the least expensive Class A as good or better then the most expensive Class B? Unless you have heard it in you system, who the heck knows.

Quoting reviews as if (A=B+C)/3=B is how things work. It just is not that way. Component matching and synergy is what really matters.

The Denon cartridges and Rega tonarms are both praised as great values. That does not mean they are really good, just good value.

The Pioneer turntable is OK. The ProJect phono stage is OK. The Denon cartridge is good for the money. Not sure how the works out in the ABC rating world.

Set your phono stage for standard MM phono settings
Thanks everyone!
For what it's worth, I by no means am saying that just because two components are "placed in the same class" by Stereophile (or anyone reviewing anything for that matter) that they are equal.  IMHO reviewing is subjective by nature, we are all humans and opinions are part of who we are, part of our individual personalities.  What I am saying, however, is that I expect two components in the same class to perform comparably, not one being vastly superior to another, regardless of price.  Ortofon 2M Blue is placed in the same class as 2M Black by Stereophile.  Do they perform the same?  I don't know, I don't have a $1K to spare to find out.  I would expect not, given that 2M Black cost three times more than 2M Blue.  I have a friend who own a 2M Blue and loves it.  He is about to upgrade to 2M Bronze and will loan me the 2M Blue to try out in my rig.  Then I will be able to directly compare 2M Red to 2M Blue in my rig, on my terms.  And I will not say anything to myself or others about 2M Black because - guess what? - I have not heard it!
@jperry  - Thanks!  Synergy indeed is what really matters.

Happy listening!
Why do you need a SUT with the Pro-Ject Tube Box? Don’t you have enough gain without needing a SUT?
@yogiboy - There is enough gain on the highest setting - 60db on Tube Box to make it work, but anyone who dealt with DL-103 will tell you that to extract most performance out of it you need a SUT, preferably the one designed specifically for a low output MC cart, which DL-103 is. A23 makes a couple of SUTs, and reviewer in the article linked below had reason to beleive that A23 DL-103 SUT (at least to some degree) was voiced around the namesake cartridge itself.  I will also be trying a new phonostage in the near future, Bob Sachs, that is well known to get along great with DL-103 with a proper SUT.  Happy listening!

http://www.auditorium-23.de/Accessories/Transformers.html