Is a SUT needed?

Thanks for the suggestions. I have my Rhea set at 62 on gain. Any higher and it overloads. Gain isn't the issue, noise floor is. Jperry has the the correct remedy I do believe. I'll call Andy about some tubes. I've spoken to him before-just wanted your opinions.                     Steve. 

jperry:  I too purchased 4 matched RCA 12ax7's from Andy and my noise floor was reduced significantly. Still a little tube rush between songs at high level of playback, but that's just tubes. 

Nandric:
I'm not clear, on what aspects makes one tube superior to another.  You read about NOS (new old stock) being the best.  It would seem with technology being so much better in our modern times, a superior new stock tube could be manufactured.  My guess is the market isn't strong enough.  Tube suppliers, such as Andy's Vintage Tubes, measure and match tubes, based on their measurements.

jperry:  I replaced all four

sksos1:
Once I replaced my "new" tubes from my upgrade from a standard Rhea to a Signature Rhea, with  very low noise matched tubes, my noise floor is as quiet as a tubed preamp can be-almost.  I chose the the RCA quad matched 12AX7's from Andy, at Glenn Buckley's from Aesthetix   suggestion.  I would have thought the upgrade would have provided these, but it did not.  I have plenty of gain, as I set my input to "62."  any higher and I get over modulation.  The cost was around $300.  I could have spent more for even better tubes, but you have to place a limit somewhere.  I may upgrade my tubes from here-hard to say at this point.  No matter how much one invests, there's always something better.  I think I'm looking for the perfect system and on my budget, it just ain't gonna happen.  I'm considering different cartridges, as well as more room treatment.  Don't misunderstand-my sound is absolutely great, but there's always something better.  I'm pleased with all my hardware.  Looking for that unicorn.

Jperry:  Thanks for the heads up. I could have easily invested twice what I already have, to no avail. I'm pleased with my sound. It's all good. 

Sksos1:  That's why I'm using two different MC carts. No SUT needed. Maybe a SLUT😁

Sksos1:  All joking aside, I had a Clearaudio Maestro and it sounded great. Didn't have it connected to an SUT. It had plenty of output. Maybe I need to invest in a SUT to up my voltage. .5 mv is a small amount of output for sure. I know with any kind of input, u need good up front volume. I wish I could try a SUT out to see if I liked it. 

sksos1:  i'm just a few blocks from you down in Nashville Tn.

The more responses "I" get, the more I find out how little I know. I'm just looking for guidance from people much more versed than I. I appreciate ALL opinions. 

Raul :  What phono stage do u recommend?  I have a Calypso Signature and two EV 600's as power amps. I love my sound, just ALWAYS looking for improvement. BTW, I'm pushing a couple of Wilson Maxx II's. 

Is anyone else not getting the weekly forum recap? Does it still come on Friday evenings? I have missed getting it about 3 times in the last few months. 

Raul: Did u post a response to my question about which phono stage u would recommend?  I realize u like the "all in one" approach, but seeing I have a line stage preamp, what phono stage would u recommend? Maybe I should just sell it all and buy a jam box.