Hi, Pureretro.
The "nominal" DC resistance of a stock Shelter 901 is 14 ohms and recommended load impedances are <20 ohms(with SUT) and <100 ohms(with MC phono stage)according to its manual. In my system, 10-20 ohms SUT(e.g.Phase Tech T-3, 26 dB gain approx.)loading sounds closer to my reference, MY Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent BC using its own Stage 302 SUT(for 1-6 ohms MC carts, 22dB gain @2 ohm).
"Things really came to life" may be due to more gain(higher step-up ratio) at 4 ohm SUT loading. Try to play more classical musics with various SUT loadings. It's easier to determine whether the width and depth of soundstaging is closer to ideal.
In my system, if there is something wrong with the soundstage, it could sometimes be solved by changing cart loadings, relocating the loudspeakers & listening position, etc. This is just my opinion.
Dan
The "nominal" DC resistance of a stock Shelter 901 is 14 ohms and recommended load impedances are <20 ohms(with SUT) and <100 ohms(with MC phono stage)according to its manual. In my system, 10-20 ohms SUT(e.g.Phase Tech T-3, 26 dB gain approx.)loading sounds closer to my reference, MY Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent BC using its own Stage 302 SUT(for 1-6 ohms MC carts, 22dB gain @2 ohm).
"Things really came to life" may be due to more gain(higher step-up ratio) at 4 ohm SUT loading. Try to play more classical musics with various SUT loadings. It's easier to determine whether the width and depth of soundstaging is closer to ideal.
In my system, if there is something wrong with the soundstage, it could sometimes be solved by changing cart loadings, relocating the loudspeakers & listening position, etc. This is just my opinion.
Dan