Phono Stage

@goodlistening64 I had the McIntosh in my system and used XLRs. It was completely fine with 60db gain. 
Its specs state 16/8 volt (balanced/unbalanced). I can only use XLRs in my system - my integrated amp doesn’t offer single ended inputs. 
My buddy, who lent me the MP100 runs it both balanced and single ended and there’s no issue with it in his system either. For the 0.4mv output cartridge 60db is fine unless you have a super low gain preamp section. 

I’ve been reading mixed bag of thoughts on Rhea phono stage. Some say it’s noisy. 

+1 @audphile1  heard one maybe 6 months back and it had tube rush that was obvious to us.

Yeah and the Rhea also has 10 tubes. Re-tubing it will put you out of $700-$1000 easily. It may be worth it if you’re looking for tube sound that solid state gear just can’t give you. But on a flip side after some time with tubes you might say to yourself man I should have gone with a solid state unit. Grass is always greener on the other side until it isn’t. 

I’d love to have a tube phono but my Whest is so quiet, so precise and accurate that I know I will miss it. Itching to try tubes though…

Interesting discussion on gain vs volume. I keep thinking what is the difference, less gain, more volume… more gain, less volume, with the same DB level at the speakers & no clipping. Should be the same logically. 
AI had an IMO helpful analogy where you look at it like a camera lens. The closer you are, within reason (gain), the clearer the picture. The further you are from your subject (less gain), can be made up by zooming in (volume), but that creates grain. 

The recommended gain is the ‘sweet spot’… within reason. That sweet spot may be cartridge specific, but also should be system dependent. @audphile1 Very helpful information… again.