Dynavector XV1-S and step-up

In my experience, the Dynavector XV-1s cartridge performs best at a loading somewhere between 100 - 150 Ohms. As Lewm indicated, the 30 Ohm loading specified by the manufacturer is intended to be a bottom-end limit and is not intended to indicate the optimal resistive load for the cartridge.

IME, the XV-1s begins to sound dark and lifeless when the input impedance is dropped below 100 Ohms.

Hatari, sorry but I don't really have any experience implementing external SUTs in my own audio systems. The guys who posted above are probably in a better position to comment on the technical aspects and compatibility of those specific SUTs you are exploring.

Axel, I accept what you are saying about the differences in optimal input impedance when using an SUT as good technical background. I gather the manufacturer's specified 30 Ohm minimum loading is intended to apply to a normal MC gain stage and not an SUT and that optimal SUT loading may well be a value substantially lower than 30 Ohms.

There's no need to act so exasperated or put upon in communicating your technical advice. If it's that much bother, perhaps you should just return to listening to music and let the rest of us wallow in our ill-informed state.