Looking for help with a Benz SL low output cartridge

@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.   

Definitely demo in your systemif you upgrade the KC Vibe.  I am not doing anything until I can demo a few in home.