Happy New Years, That phono stage is a octal tube based balanced differential two-stage, might be noisy for low output mc's. I have a seduction that I like but heres a thought just for giggles, the Harmon Citation 1 that I have sounds so rich and full and has every possible adjustment for eq. Some say that Stew Hegerman used anode follower and that accounts for the sound. Al;l I know is I love the tone and while the seduction and my modified pas sound good I really love the citation. Just a thought but they are cheap.