Utter Confusion - SUT Settings

[Firebottle]

Perhaps, it's back to a good phono stage Preamp, unless I can get used to this sound.

Just because it is a McIntosh doesn't mean it is necessarily a top notch phono stage. To my eyes, having studied the schematic, it is a very average implementation of a valve phono circuit.

It uses feedback RIAA equalisation whereas passive is generally accepted to be best, plus there are electrolytic bypass capacitors in the signal path. The supply is regulated which is a plus point.

[AlfaGTV]

Just because it is a McIntosh doesn't mean it is necessarily a top notch phono stage. To my eyes, having studied the schematic, it is a very average implementation of a valve phono circuit.
...

Don't know about the Macintosh 2275 tube integrated, but a friend of mine uses an E.A.R SUT to up the signal from a ZYX cart into his Macintosh MA-7000. That works beautifully and sounds quite good!
(The Mac does not provide MC suitable amplification)