12-22-09: Dertonarm Noise free LOMC phono source is possible if you divide the phono gain between transformer and phono stage. I do have the worst case scenario in my set-up: very low output MC with tubed phono stage and high sensitivity (really high - aside from horns) speakers. I am running a 0.15 mV cartridge on one end and a 99.5 dB sensitivity speaker on the other. Phono amplification with 22 dB gain step-up transformer feeding a 54 dB phono (tubed...) stage. Very quiet. The very same phono stage can be "pimped" to 70 dB alone. Using this generates more noise with less gain. The SUT does a great job. Dertonarm (Threads | Answers | This Thread)
