What separate tube phono stage do you use ?

Thomas Mayer electronics looks serious, and he uses modern Germany made tubes.
How does it sound ?

Unless I have the tape machine modified. How difficult is it ?

@inna
It might not be that hard. I think the big problem to vercome is not input impedance, but the overall gain. But if the input impedance is dealt with, then no need for a transformer- so you might have enough gain at that point (a line transformer steps down, so reduces gain). That might be the easiest solution, and changing the input impedance should not be difficult. A look at a schematic will tell a lot.

Ralph, thank you, I now understand my options. Easiest is not always best. Since this is going to be a real high end system, I will want to take my time and do it right.

Manley Steelhead; 50 dB/47K Ohm for the MI and MM carts; 55 dB/100 Ohm for the Delos.

I have the Mayer phono stage as well as the companion 801A line stage and have 300B monoblocks on the way next week.
The sound is transparent, dynamic, smooth and totally silent of background noise, even with the 76dB gain of the phono stage.
Each piece is hand made by Thomas and the layout can be changed as needed by the buyer. For past phono stages I have had Coincident,  Allnic 3000, Herron, Cary and many others. I see no neded to ever swap out the Mayer stuff for any other.
The Elrog tubes are also produced by Mayer. He bought the factory last year when the tunes had quality issues and now they are fabulous.