Phono Stage Amp

If your phono stage comes with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA output, use the RCA connect to your Cary slp-05 might provide a better result.

the Cary SLP 05 offers respectable measured performance from its unbalanced jacks. I was a little disappointed with its behavior in balanced mode, however.—John Atkinson

https://www.stereophile.com/content/cary-audio-design-slp-05-preamplifier-measurements

If your phono stage comes with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA output, use the RCA connect to your Cary slp-05 might provide a better result.

I will. I always default to XLR but yes, I will.

@mulveling has given the best advice. 56db is not enough gain for a LOMC IMO. This is especially true of 25mv cart which is very low output. I believe your phono pre is failing to keep pace with the rest of your system. Many people my self included believe the phono pre is as important as the TT itself. You TT far outclasses the phono preamp. Your cart is fine and is not the problem IMO. It falls in line with Origin Live’s heirarchy of Vinyl budget. I’d be looking at a phono pre that is an equivalent match with the TT.

BTW 60db gain for MC is the minimum you should have if you are going to run 25mv carts. There are many more LOMC which have these low outputs, IE Zyx is .24 and my Benz Ebony L was about .26 or so. Lots of the higher end carts can be  below .30. So keep that in mind as you proceed.

+1. Phonostage at least as good as TT… by that, carefully chosen and of similar or higher value than the TT + cartridge. 

It's your tube amps running out of power (clipping) and distorting! No wonder they sound better at lower SPL's! Nothing wrong with your phono stage. Get a powerful SS amp if you want to listen at louder SPL's! Bryston, Parasound, Krell ...