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Let me do an edit as well, concerning tranny and MM stages. Using a tranny will often improve the S/N ratio and dynamics of a MM stage. Usually the MM is quieter than a MC stage anyway. If the voltage your MM stage "sees" from the tranny is greater than a typical MM cart, then you will realize these improvements. You will realize it even more than if you used your MC stage. But that's not the whole story. Some MM stages get overloaded using a very high output cart. Often this isn't recognised as such by the user and might even be preferred - like a DJ using a 10mV cart and a cheap phono stage. Years ago I had a Cotter tranny and a Kisiki. Forget the model, but it was one that I could change loading by resoldering little silver connectors under the side plate. To make a long story short, what I needed was a good phono stage - weakest link and all that. In reality, you'll still be listening to your old MM stage. Transformers rarely match a cart perfectly and other problems can be loss of detail, microdynamics and harmonic nuance. What happens if you want to switch carts? IMO, if you want to use a tranny, first you need a really good MM stage. Then you have to find the perfect tranny for your cart. I doubt if one exists, but that's my opinion. It's also my opinion that on your budget - forget about it. There are quite a few past threads about budget phono stages and excellent results. I've read good things about the Vincent, but never heard one. Focus on the MC stage, that's the hardest to optimise. There's a new Musical Fidelity V-LPS and Lehmann Black Cube Statement? http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/View-All-Phono-Preamps?range=49%2C85%2C85