[SteveRB]

The spec on my current MM output is 3.5 not 6.5 as stated above...

[SteveRB]

A new MC and SU is pushing $2000. That's a bit much for this year. I do have a Denon 103 and vintage SU I could try out as well, but that guy doesn't always mate well with the uni-pivot arm.

[SteveRB]

Ok, Back to the phono stage gain (I started a new conversation in the Vinyl Circle)

BUT , I did find a Stereophile article with measurements which they say off the bat "The RS-30EQ phono preamplifier offered a voltage gain of 37.1dB, which is very much higher than the specified 23.5dB but is appropriate for moving-magnet cartridges."

http://www.stereophile.com/content/leben-rs-30eq-phono-preamplifier-measurements

So, I guess that ends that speculation...

[vortrex]

Not my experience at all.  I had a system with too much gain (and noise) and installing the Leben resolved that.  It was significantly lower in gain (with 26db SUT connected) than the Zesto it replaced.  If that reviewer is correct I would have had even more gain!  Definitely was not evident by my volume knob. 

[SteveRB]

Interesting observations.
I find my volume knob is pretty consistent as well. I'm sure the efficiency of the horns is helping. But I believe that the Leben putting out closer to 35 db is a bit more realistic.

[SteveRB]

So I tried a new MM cart: AT 150MLX.

Sounds great BUT there is a ton of RF noise with this cart. ... A LOT of RF !!!

Any suggestions now?