Looking for help with a Benz SL low output cartridge

@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.   

"Looking for help"

Is there a problem?

If so, what?

If it sounds good, has enough gain for decent volume, are you just asking for us to comment on what you have read or heard?

OP

this is my SUT, the one lewm referred to:

PASS is so you can run a MM cartridge (or HOMC) thru it bypassing the internal transformers, so there is no need to plug/unplug any cables.

Finally I realized the designations 3; 10; 30; 100 are as he said, for you to select based on your coil’s internal impedance:

i.e. for my AT33PTG/II with a 10 ohm coil, I use the 10 ohm setting. Inside, that rotary switch selects one of the 4 various windings of the transformer, which corresponds to a signal boost,( which I call x factor) of 20.68. (equal to +26 db) My signal is 0.3mv x 20.68 = 6.2 mV (now a strong enough signal to go to a MM Phono Input which will perform RIAA Equalization, and further signal boost, up to Line Level.

My unit, the impedance load that will be shown to the MM Phono Input is RESULTANT, and for that 10 ohm/20.86x signal boost is 110 ohms. That is ideal for my cartridge as it’s coil impedance is 10 ohms. 

Your unit, the load and the gain are SEPARATELY controlled

Gain settings: 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 dB
Loading: 100, 200, 475, 1k or 47kOhms

and the RIAA EQ also occurs within your unit, the total gain is adjustable

Using a SUT into a MM Phono Input (where RIAA EQ occurs), the total gain is:

SUT gain PLUS MM Phono Gain

I do not know how much gain in db my MM Phono stage adds (to my SUT’s +26db gain). My Preamp’s Output Level is 2.5V (unless attenuated, by the volume control).