I'm surprised the 58dB gain of the PH8 is not sufficient for a .6mV output cartridge.
In any case I can't say I really understand why ARC phono's traditionally offer this lowish amount of MC gain. The Ref 2 seems to be the exception - it has gain on the highish side.
ARC describe the PH8 gain as MM/MC compatible. I suppose they mean in an overload sense, because its (way) too much gain for typical MM outputs and on the cusp of being too little for lower output MC's.
IMO, not having a more standard MM gain setting in the 38-45dB range is going to limit the SUT choice. Even a 1:10 SUT will provide 20dB of gain, giving a total of 78dB with the PH8.
The thing is, I suspect a low DCR cartridge like the PC-1 might prefer the loading provided by a higher ratio SUT - like the Erodian. But the 26dB gain of the Erodian will give you a total of 84dB. That may be too much. IMO the Erodian is really meant for phono amps with gain around 40dB.
In any case I can't say I really understand why ARC phono's traditionally offer this lowish amount of MC gain. The Ref 2 seems to be the exception - it has gain on the highish side.
ARC describe the PH8 gain as MM/MC compatible. I suppose they mean in an overload sense, because its (way) too much gain for typical MM outputs and on the cusp of being too little for lower output MC's.
IMO, not having a more standard MM gain setting in the 38-45dB range is going to limit the SUT choice. Even a 1:10 SUT will provide 20dB of gain, giving a total of 78dB with the PH8.
The thing is, I suspect a low DCR cartridge like the PC-1 might prefer the loading provided by a higher ratio SUT - like the Erodian. But the 26dB gain of the Erodian will give you a total of 84dB. That may be too much. IMO the Erodian is really meant for phono amps with gain around 40dB.