from everything I have read and heard, to get top performance from a SUT/MC cart system, they must be matched to each other. Search the archives and you will find lots of information on this. SOME carts are very sensitive to loading and some are less so. The benefit of the S&Bs is that you can easily experiment with and hear the diff btwn diff loading values and diff resistors. You might want to consider a head-amp (aka pre-pre-amp) if your phono stage does not provide sufficient gain. I have used the ZYX CCP-1 with very good results (not w your cart, but I do not believe that a head amp/cart match is as critical as a SUT/cart match. Just my $0.02, bt I'm guessing unless you can find an SUT that several people agree is a good match with your cart, you're going to have to experiment some.
What Step-up transformers are best value?
I have recently bought a VDH Black Beauty cartridge. It needs top-flight SUTs. I'm currently using Silks, which are very good. I have also tried the S&B TX103s (lent by a good friend), and they are noticeably better. Their price, however, is prohibitive (£1400). Anyone know of any serious bargains out there, which are up there with the Tx103s?