Recommandation for 1:6 1:8 SUT under $5K?

lewm

OP thinks x factor 6 or 8 is what he needs

the specs of the AR PH9

https://audioresearch.com/new_website/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PH9-Manual-O.pdf

indicate it has 55db of gain, however, it limits it’s output somehow to 0.5V

Frequency Response: ±.2 dB of RIAA, 5 Hz to 20kHz; 1 dB points below 0.3Hz and above 80 kHz.

Distortion: Less than .015% at 3V RMS 1kHz output.

Gain: 55 dB at 1 kHz Input Impedance:

Selectable loads: 47k, 1000, 500, 200, 100 Ohms.

Output Impedance: 200 ohms. Recommended load 50k-100k Ohms and 100 pF. (10k Ohms minimum and 2000 pF maximum).

Output Polarity: Non-inverting.

Maximum Input: 80 mV RMS at 1kHz.

Rated Outputs: 0.5V RMS 10 Hz to 60 kHz, into 100K ohm load (maximum balanced output capability is 0.46V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz).

(if both true, how can you overload it?)

So just about any SUT into the AR PH9 should work

.................................

Perhaps OP thinks the overloading/distortion is occurring within the SUT's transformer, and thus the AR-PH9 is starting with a distorted signal.

another option, works with ANY cartridge, internal dip switches

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284725780254

https://www.dynavector.com/pdf/P75_mk3_emanual_%20r2v0_a4.pdf

https://audiofi.net/2016/07/dynavector-p75-mk3-phono-pleasures/

The math and physics say that even if the PH9 does have a gain of 55db, not 58db, then the LS28 linestage will still put out about 0.95V with NO SUT, which is STILL enough to drive the vast majority of amplifiers to full or near full output (which by the way is typically never needed lest one blow the speakers). If you or the OP insist upon inserting a SUT in the signal path, then go for it.  By the way, we have not heard from the OP in quite a while, even to report whether he ever tried the no SUT approach.  So I suspect no one is listening. The source I consulted originally to make my original calculation of 1.3V with no SUT said that the PH9 provides 58db of gain, not 55db, but it makes no difference really. And no, an LOMC cartridge would never overload a SUT.

I have no idea why or how it came to be that my text is underlined in the post above. It was not intentional.

How is the above pictured device a transimpedance amplifier with an adjustable input impedance from 300Ω to 40Ω?

I do agree with Lew that the OP should let us know what things sound like with the direct input into his phono.  Im many cases like this the gain is not the issue and noise is.  A small ratio SUT like a 1:4 will in theory net a 12dB improvement in S/N which can be substantial for an all tubed MC phono stage.

dave