Increasing gain for your vinyl front end when pre-amp doesn't quite have enough juice


Hi Folks, just wanted to get your thoughts on what route you would go if your pre-amp (I’m talking about a normal pre-amp, not phono preamp) doesn’t quite have enough gain for very high listening levels for my turntable set-up. Now, on my phono-pre amp, there is a setting for maximum gain (schiit Mani) up to 59db, but the S/N ratio takes a hit and goes down to 70db, however, it does pump out the needed volume. What about the idea of putting in a good (inexpensive headphones amp/preamp - one of those $99 guys - like schiit Magni, JDS Labs Atom or Monolith Liquid Spark) between the phono preamp and the regular preamp? Does this have the potential of producing the needed gain while at the same time not degrading the signal too much (perhaps not as much as full gain on the Mani?) Just wanted to see what you all think. To me it seems like less items in the signal chain the better, but if it has a higher S/N ratio could be a better option? (with the added benefit of listening to vinyl through headphones, which I’ve never done before.)
bstatmeister
For a few years, I wrestled with not enough SPLs, from my actively bi-amped system. Everything sounded great. No desire to replace anything upsteam. Just not enough volume to dispel the disbelief/take me there. It came down to swapping my(heavily modded) tubed main amps for SS, or- more efficient speakers than my new Maggie 1.7i’s. A pair of Emerald Physics speakers, brought it all together, wonderfully. Prices(new) start around $1400 a pair(I think, in their cheapest finish, factory direct, without their bass-booster).
@bstatmeister if you’re in USA you have to look for Zu Audio speakers, they will give you a try, full refund quaranteed and i believe they cover shipping both way within the USA (nothing to lose if if you’re not buying them). The best modern Full Range (crossoverless) speakers with paper cone drivers 101db ! I would recommend Druid line.

I’ve heard Klipsch Heresy III and Zu Audio will put them in a shame.
That Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge already is pretty high output at 4.5 mV so probably not much to to be gained on shooting for even higher.  I realize you love this cart anyway.  
You could also look into the Omega loudspeakers, very efficient, look great, sound better, & Louis is a great guy to deal with.
 omegaloudspeakers.com