Cartridge Output

Axel, when you mentioned you had gain options on your phono board and then I saw 326s, I had to ask myself if you had the owner's manual; because basically, with a tasty preamp like a 326s, you can use any bloody cartridge you please. I have a 26s pre + 25s phono pre -- almost as versatile as yours, definitely as quiet, which means you can use a very low output MC if you like, and get all the benefits thereof without worrying about the noise floor. AFAIC, the only SS phono stage that can beat yours or mine is the Vendetta Research SCP-2 by John Curl (whose DNA is also in the Levinson phono pre's BTW), and you're likely to see a Sasquatch before you see one of those! There's a really great old article on JC and the SCP-2 here:
http://www.stereophile.com/phonopreamps/640/index.html

Sorry Axel, you're quite right -- Jsman in his OP didn't mention what knd of equipment he was using. If I were ever change anything in my system, it would be because I got a great buy on a used 326s! (with phono boards of course ;-)