cartridge "low" voltage output benchmark

For some time I have also had in mind the purchase of a mc cartridge in particular the Hana ML which has an output of O.4 mv which judging by the specifications of some mc cartridges is not particularly low although the Hana MH has an output of 2.0 mv. 

It occurred to me that at some point a cartridges output would be at a certain value as to not need a phono stage / pre amp step up transformer but what is this mystical voltage, there is no industry standard to refer to.

 Looking at the two Accession units they look to have the same setting choices, the mc unit is more expensive surely due to the step up transformer. 

Going to the Audio Note web site I note that no voltage output for the cartridge is given for the IQ3 for me to compare with the two Hana units. In stark contrast the Hana web site gives full side by side details for a prospective purchaser to view. 

I would be interested to hear from any owners who are running with an mc cartridge without a SUT and the details of manufacturer, voltages etc.

This withholding of cartridge output figures is terrible for consumers also some manufacturers will not state the output impedance of their phono stage / phono pre amps which would enable consumers to ensure they are a match for their pre amp input impedance specifications. (not G. S.)

There was a time when Rolls Royce would not specify the power outputs of their car engines, they pompously described them as adequate however with time the Society of Motor Manufacturers and other regulatory bodies changed this awful attitude to the consumer. I think it is more than time for a similar organisation to be formed for the protection of hi fi enthusiasts globally.

I hope I am not talking rubbish here through lack of understanding but having to have two phono stages / phono pre amps, one for for mc and one for mm in the highly technically advanced year of 2021 whiffs more than a bit of a lucrative commercial arrangement. Thank you.

What you've seen is a good indication 0.5mV is low and 5mV is high. I suggest the tipping point is around 1mV but it is not official.

Thank you Graham for the heads up on the Accession mc not having a SUT.

Earlier this year I read an article on why people should not buy an electric car for a year or two or at least not until car batteries made using Graphene are introduced, apparently Graphene has conductivity far below that of any other material and is set to revolutionise the transport of high voltage power as one example. 

I mention this because the manufacture of hi fi cartridges seems to be in a trough technically with the very notable exception of DS Audio who have just introduced their 3rd generation of optical read cartridges. Although the cartridges need a DS Audio processor / phono stage which are not cheap (nor the cartridge) the processor has 4 options / settings to choose from to match your system.

Ken Kessler has just reviewed the DS 003 cartridge in Hi Fi News and states it is "mind blowing" - he wouldn't exaggerate would he ? - seriously I think cartridge manufacturers who continue with only mc and mm options are courting trouble as prices of optical options come down.

It's Saturday night, in play is a two cd album I just picked up from HMV for £6.99 containing 3 Basie albums, Count Basie & the Kansas City 7, The Atomic Mr Basie, Basie Plays Hefti plus 5 tracks from the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival and 10 tracks Basie with Sinatra. Not the zenith of sound production but good value and certainly worth listening to, also picked up at HMV for £4 another double cd album Bottleneck Blues Wizards, whats that saying "enjoy the music".

Some of Basie's greatest stuff there IMLTHO Tom  - Sinatra/Basie was my much-missed Father-in-Law's favourite LP ever...