SUT experience

A “head amp” or “pre-preamp” is simply a linear active gain stage to boost the cartridge output so the ensemble can then drive an MM stage. If you start with a high gain MC phono stage, there’s no role for a head amp. And a head amp, like a SUT, requires the insertion of additional connectors and cables in the signal path.

Correction Required

My statement should have been,  " SUT's are not generic in their voicing, "

Welcome to the SUT experience! IMO a good SUT sounds like "music" and further differentiates vinyl’s sound away from digital.

There are many different SUTs, each with their own distinct sonic character. Choosing the right ratio for a given cartridge is extremely important - much more than loading considerations. SUTs with 2 or more taps are very handy. My general-purpose favorite SUT is the EAR (MC-3 and MC-4; 3 and 4 taps respectively).

There is perhaps even more variance in the sound of various MC pre-preamp stages/SUTs that there is with RIAA MM stage - though the latter is crucially important as well.

JFET (voltage) pre-preamps can also be excellent in the right setup. But most of them tend to sound more "sterile" than SUTs. I like Jim Hagerman’s various Piccolos because they sound good and are cheap, at the expense of a bit higher noise floor (not problematic IMO). Most are JFET (voltage) based but he just added a Piccolo Zero model that is trans-impedance (current) based. I have one on order to try :)

Dear @lewm  : It's obvious that you never read the Stellar review I linked where the reviewer compared it to a 30K+ phono stages.

The " raining " in the @adrianleewelch  parade is because the PS Adio is better than the Project too and way better that any SUT.

Btw, @mulveling   " SUT sounds like "music" and further differentiates vinyl’s sound away from digital. ":

I'm not against you but your statement is only what you like and not what is rigth. You like SUT's thanks to its higher developed distortions and it's not your fault. Issue is that our ears perception are way tolerant in different kind of distortions, the VIV tonearm is an example how tolerant ( it can't discriminates ) to higher distortions are the owners ears and again no fault in those owners: that's what that's, ears limitations.

R.

Because an individual has a preference for a particular and perceivable tone, as a blend for a sound being produced, is certainly not a limitation of ones capability to hear. .    

The Sound interaction had is quite controlled by the brains Amygdala.

As many reactions are also based on environmental interactions, where sound, sight and smell are influencers, the individual reacting to the stimulus triggered by the sensory perception and chemical reactions sent from the Amygdala through the Limbic is what mould a personal preference.

“When you feel shivers go down your spine, the amygdala is activated.”

Don't let anybody attempt to convince another, that what is the trigger for their stimulus when it comes to sound produced via electronic audio equipment is the correct medicine for another, hence most time served audio enthusiasts do not share systems that are identical. 

Some use SUT's others Head Amps and others Viv Tonearms or SME 3012's.    

 “When your Cheshire Cat grin becomes fixed, the Amygdala is activated and the Limbic System is functioning healthily.”

It is this healthy function and the release of chemicals causing such a positivity of emotion, that enables the experience had, to be referred to as a form of entertainment.

Obviously there is not a Electronics equation that caters for all as a ubiquitous formula to feel entertained to ones own special preference.