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a dilemma for cartridge/phono stage combination

the cantilever of my Benz-Micro MC-20E2 "High Output" cartridge was broke.
fixing it will cost more than a new one.
benz offered me what they call  repair/exchange with a nice 40 % discounted price.
i'm thinking to go on it.
my dilemma is between a high output cartridge like mc silver, which is kind of equivalent to the one i had, or to the low/mid output.
i'm working now without external phono stage and with my 2.0 mv that i had i used to raise the volume of my intagreted amp not more than 11-12 clock.
i read that generally low output mc are better quality that the high one's.
another cartridge that i have with 0.4 mv ( monster cable alpha 2) gives me very thin and dull sound, so i guess i will need an phono stage for the low output cartridge.
if it'll give me a real sound improvement i am ready to spend on a phono stage.
i know that benz micro also sell those. 
the models i consider for my budget limit are :
Benz Micro MC Silver
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-mc-silver.html

Benz Micro MC Gold
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-mc-gold.html

Benz Micro ACE-S low
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-low.html

Benz Micro ACE-S medium
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-medium.html

Benz Micro ACE-S high
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-high.html?___store=ae_en&___from_store=ae_nl

my turntable and arm are well tempered.

i'll appreciate very much some guidance .

stone1
stone1 OP
24 posts
 
mr_m1 - i believe that my choices are limited to adding a phono preamp/stage , or SUT or both.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
i know that my dilemmas here are not simple for you to give me a clear cut answer, and i apologize for that.
i am also kind of frustrated from the situation and will try to simplify it.
right now i’m thinking of going on a careful side and buy a phono preamp.
try to work with my mc alpha 2 cartridge , or buy a new mc cartridge, if i’ll not like the result of the above.
my system right now can be hardly called high end ,and i’ts kind of something that i’m planning to replace in the future, so i’m trying to match the additional components for a reasonable price, according to that.
i’m trying to find not expansive phono stages, let say something between 100-200 $.
one of the options is the bellari VP130 – Tube Phono Preamp.
other is Cambridge Audio - Azur 551P - MM Phono Preamplifier.
those two are just first examples that i found.
i’ll be glad for recommendations to that direction, and sorry again if i confused you.
stone1 OP
24 posts
 
sorry, the   Azur 551P ia  a MM , not relevant.
johnss
291 posts
 
lewn did a nice job of outlining what you need to do.

according to stereophile your amp was available with a MC or MM pcb plug in board.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/creek-4240-special-edition-integrated-amplifier-specifications

key thing to know is not only how much gain each of the two board options offers, bit also what kind of loading is available. is the loading fixed at 100 ohm or do you have to solder resistors into the pcb to change loading?

once you have these answers you should be in better shape to determine what carts will work with your amp.


stone1 OP
24 posts
 
thank you.
the link you gave me refer to a special addition 4240.
my unit was sold only with line level with the option to add a phono stage internal card for one of the rca inputs , which i did.
it’s a MM p.stage.
my direction now is to buy a phono stage, probably a tube one, and start to work with my alpha 2 cartridge.
so i’m looking for recommendations that will help me to decide which tube phono preamp to buy.
one option is one of the tube boxes of project.
another option is Parks Audio Budgie tube phono preamp .
those are around the price range i'm looking for.

i’ll be glad to have some opinion about it from people that have/had experience with it, or other suggestions.


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