Looking for help with a Benz SL low output cartridge

Whatever you do, don’t mix a current driven phono stage with a SUT.  The two options are mutually exclusive. Also, keep in mind that the markings on a SUT like the one belonging to Elliot are an indication of what the internal resistance of your cartridge should be, in order to match the turns ratio or voltage gain afforded by that particular pair of inputs, as Elliot correctly intimated.  But it’s not absolutely necessary to match the values of the inputs with the value of the internal resistance of your cartridge.  There is some leeway, and you want to choose more for how much gain you really need than for matching the inputs on the SUT to the internal R of the cartridge.  For example, a pair of SUT inputs labeled "3 ohms" will typically afford much more gain than a pair of SUT inputs labeled "10 ohms".  To understand this, you might want to first understand the simple math.  Ideally you want the ratio between the internal resistance of the cartridge to be about 1/10 of the input impedance of the phono stage as seen through the SUT.  The SUT reduces the apparent input Z of the phono by a factor equal to its turns ratio, squared.  So for a 1:10 turns ratio, you divide the input Z of the phono (almost always 47K ohms for an MM phono stage) by 100, which gives 470 ohms. Just apply that conversion and you can see that a 3 ohm cartridge can in theory drive a 30 ohm input Z.  To end up with a 30 ohm input Z, the SUT may have a turns ratio as high as greater than 1:30, which is an amount of gain you will almost never need.  So you are not restricted to using the 3 ohm inputs if you have a 3 ohm cartridge. Etc. The vintage Japanese SUTs are often marked as is Elliot's, and I find it regrettable and confusing for new users.  Bob of Bob's Devices will set you straight.

@dpm2340 rather than spending money on a SUT that will go into KC Vibe, consider upgrading your phono stage. I owned KC Vibe Mk2 and ran Hana EL and Hana ML with it. It’s a good phono stage. But…

Stepping up to 20/20 Mk2 LPS was a very noticeable improvement. McIntosh MP100 is another excellent choice. Whest Two.2 is a considerable improvement over the Vibe as well and so should be the Two.2 Discrete.

Just go up in phono stage quality. You will not regret that decision. 

@dpm2340 I am not aware if you are city-based or rural, as an area where you reside. I'm confident that if you are residing in a populated area, a request made to loan a device for a demo purpose should produce the desired outcome.

What is the unforeseen is how you Wed to a demo device. I have been through numerous SUT's and loaned quite a number as well. To date I maintain two models and have one that is a SUT of interest, as a result of being present when the design was loaned to another system.

I should also state not to overlook a Head Amp. I have loaned in the past few years, a few designs for this device type, all design used produced by the same designer/builder. If they weren't so readily available to be loaned, I would own one.

I'm sure my recently acquired SS phonostage, will end up with a trial using a Head Amp with the MM Input. Why not! 'Pardon the Pun', "nothing ventured, nothing gained".    

@dpm2340 

Nobody has asked the obvious question - what turntable are you using.

If you are using the Technics SLQ3 in your system page, then you would make the most gains by upgrading your turntable before you do anything else.

A better turntable and arm would make much more substantial improvements than fiddling around with alternative MC devices.

Yes, I do agree a better phono stage would also be of benefit, but I would upgrade the TT first.

As an aside I used to distribute Benz some years ago and had no problem running a low output Benz into my tube mm phono input which only had 43db gain - with gain to spare. Often I find most vintage SUT's often have too much gain for modern MM stages. 

If you want something interesting at a modest cost Hagerman does a transimpedance MC head amp designed to work into a MM phono

https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com/products/piccolo-zero-mc-headamp

Probably worth a go for the modest price.

I would love a 20/20 or something along those lines.   I put off big purchases for a while.   My daughter got married last year so that t put the brakes on spending for a while.   I will eventually do that so for me the SUT will at some point in time go to my second system.   

The KC is pretty good and to better it will cost a little under $3k for the 20/20 with the LPS.