gcph phono stage gain settings

Tanglewood:
I think in fairness to PS Audio, you also can connect the unit straight to a power amp. I have done that too, but preferred going true my Levinson 326S after all.
If you connect it straight to a power amp, it will start to make sense why it works that way. It's a good attenuator from 0 all the way up, and 1:00 will be about where it is at elevated room spl -- depending on your cart of course. Going into a pre-amp it's 3:00pm and not 1:00pm, at least in my experience... :-)
A.

Hi,
y.s.:
>>> i'm concerned that if i ever get an mc cartridge with 1/10 the output of my current cartridge, the gcph will not be able to handle it.<<<

Your fear is completely unfounded. I used the GCPH with a 0.3mV cart. Setting in this case was 1kohm or 500ohm load and 60db RCA (=66dB with XLR which I used).

As far as the MM goes: The GCPH volume knob set at 3:00 is just fine with no sound degradation i.e. just a tad off the full volume (1:00 if FAR too low!). Close the volume all the way, put a small pencil mark at ~ 7:00 (as it does not do a full 360deg turn) then open the volume until your pencil mark is at ~ 3:00.

Setting for MM is 47k (a MUST!) and you will probably find that 60/66 dB is by far too loud! --- and so you can go down to a more appropriate 40dB RCA = 46dB XLR.

Hi,
y.s.: >> (it is b-stock) <<
What makes it b-stock? I only know the answer to such in the shoe industry and there it'd mean some blemish/mark with the finish. You’d still get 2 soles and 2 laces, upper, insoles etc. :-)
So it maybe a scratch or such?
A.

Viridian
this box has only 4 settings: 47k, 1k, 500ohm and 100ohm. I guess that should settle it in any case, as there is NO 47ohm.

Thanks Tanglewood
and by the way, you'll have to fork out plenty more $$$ before you will better that GCPH.
So far only going with a decent tube job could I see some 'affordable' possible improvement. Example is my son's EAR 864P (but second hand only).