I had the same problem with my Grado Statement Sonata1 using the Grado PH-1 preamp. Reading this thread was like having a deja-vu. My (short story) solution was to upgrade the op-amp in my PH-1 from the NJM4556A to 2 x OPA627's mounted on a Browndog single to dual op-amp adapter. I tried other op-amps (opa2134, opa827) and found opa627 to be superior. It was clearer, quieter and more dynamic at high output with barely any hiss. In addition, I bypassed the PH-1's output coupling caps with 0.1uf micamold pio. Now the sound is as dynamic as anything I have ever heard and I have to put my ear to the tweeter to hear any hiss. I am finally enjoying this cartridge.
I tried using Hagerman's piccolo moving coil step up amp but that didn't work out. I'm told you can't use a MC step up transformer with a MI cartridge, so I didn't bother. My tube phono stage didn't have enough gain either. Now I was starting to understand why people preferred moving coil cartridges; their low outputs can be stepped up quietly without using an active stage (which adds hiss). IMO, the statement series needs at least 60db gain with no hiss to be enjoyed, and I wasn't going to throw good money after bad searching for another phono pre. I contacted Grado about the issue and got this kind of reply: "??? what are you talking about?". Their most useful suggestion was to reposition the phono stage, which I had already done with of course no effect. Here I was using a Grado cartridge with the Grado Preamp and the hiss was annoying the urine out of me. If I hadn't accidentally blown out my PH-1 necessitating it's repair, I would have never stumbled upon a solution.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
I tried using Hagerman's piccolo moving coil step up amp but that didn't work out. I'm told you can't use a MC step up transformer with a MI cartridge, so I didn't bother. My tube phono stage didn't have enough gain either. Now I was starting to understand why people preferred moving coil cartridges; their low outputs can be stepped up quietly without using an active stage (which adds hiss). IMO, the statement series needs at least 60db gain with no hiss to be enjoyed, and I wasn't going to throw good money after bad searching for another phono pre. I contacted Grado about the issue and got this kind of reply: "??? what are you talking about?". Their most useful suggestion was to reposition the phono stage, which I had already done with of course no effect. Here I was using a Grado cartridge with the Grado Preamp and the hiss was annoying the urine out of me. If I hadn't accidentally blown out my PH-1 necessitating it's repair, I would have never stumbled upon a solution.
Good luck, I hope this helps.