Phono Stage

@goodlistening64 If and when I buy a new phono stage, I would be happy to do a try & buy. Thanks!

@smodking1 Maybe I am missing something, but the DS Audio products look like expensive cartridge/ phono stage combos. Looks like very nice stuff. Thanks 
@dmk_calgary I am sure there are some, but never found a Schiit product I liked. 
Austin audio works: probably great, but definitely the ugly duckling. Always do look at Stereophile recommended list. I also go back a couple years. Thanks 

@audphile1 

There are a ton of phono preamps that offer 70db and above. Project, Moon, Chord, Musical Fidelity, Dynavector, Elac. Sutherland, Clearaudio...all of them have offerings over 70db of gain. Trending up over the past few years..gain is all the rage..

@smodking1 DS Audio makes only optical cartridges and their phono equalizers only support optical cartridges. Extremely cool tech, great sound. 
 

@goodlistening64 yep I’m current on phono stages. My Whest has up to 70db gain. Sutherland 20/20 Mk2 I had maxed out at 64db. Important to check loading and gain with a phono stage you buy to make sure it works with your cartridge. 
 

@signaforce I’m glad to report the Umami Blue has been improving steadily. Now at about 8-10hr of play it is filling in nicely. Stressful for the first 5hrs for sure. :)

A different path you can pursue, of course, is to go with an MM phono stage, and add a step-up transformer for LOMC; that gives you many more high gain options.  And interesting product is the Lejonklou Slipsik 8, at $1800 new, which leaves you $1200 for a SUT.

I'm by no means a vinyl expert, but I get good results from my Sutherland TZ Vibe and Hana ML cartridge.  It's a small unit.  Only works with low output moving coil.