Which low output MC cartridge

Dear Kingmacaw: IMHO your MFA is a good phonolinepreamp as is your Signet cartridge ( that you can improve with a 9 model stylus replacement or with the lattest 7e stylus. There are over the net NOS sources for those Signet stylus replacement. ), a Benz Glider only can help for you spend money on a High gain phono stage but IMHO not with better quality performance.

Even you can choose one, two or more of the cartridges I posted/linked that could give you very good quality performance for so less/lower money than the Glider/MC phono stage.

You don't have to take my word for " sure ", please read what this person ( Halcro ) already experienced with those humble MM/MI cartridges against not only other MM/MI's but against top LOMC cartridges like the Universe or XV-1, these ones are around 4K big dollars against less than 200.00 in that MM cartridge ( and this is not one and only experience about, in the thread there are several ones " speaking " on the same subject: great quality performance from MM/MI analog source alternative. ):

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&openflup&1991&4#1991

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

I'm going to have to go against prevailing opinion here. It's always been my experience that the biggest differences in sound are made by the transducers (cartridges and speakers). This is not a fashionable opinion, but it's what I've found to be true. So I'd go with a cartridge before upgrading the preamp. I have no experience with any of the carts you mentioned, but can say that the Shelter 501 II that I recently bought is absolutely superb in every way that matters to me. And it's within your budget.
-Bob

clearaudio maestro is a mm with qualities of a mc but less expensive

Kingmacaw,

You asked, "would either a Musical Surroundings Phenomenon 2 or a Jolida jd9a be respectable low cost phono preamps for use with a Benz glider low output cartridge?"

I use a Musical Surroudnings Phenomena II phono stage with a Benz Ace S low output (.4mv) cartridge. I love this combination and highly recommend it.

The Phenomena II and Nova Phenomena are good for these catridges because of their adjustability. I found major differences in sound at different impedance settings. A pre-amp with suitable adjustibility will help you get the most out of your cartridge.

I found adjustable phono stages to be the worst compromise, especially with LOMC carts.
Look into Graham Slee line of products particularly "Reflex" phono amp.
Denon 103R or 304 would be my choice of carts.
Speakers are undoubtedly would be the next important choice.