Quote Originally Posted by Enochrome
Can you use the Denon DL-160 through the mc stage with greater results than the mm stage?
John already answered this for you, the short answer is no. You can do it and the result will be way more gain than the cart was designed for.

At first, you may be deceived into thinking it sounds "better", as added gain can have that illusion. If it doesn't distort, it will be much louder and forward. The problem is that all of the wonderful intricacies and nuances of your cart will be lost. The soundstage will be unrealistic and inflated.

I would be surprised if you would be able to tolerate it frankly. HOMC into a proper 47k MM input will respond how it's supposed to. There are some guys at AK who apparently are deaf and think the MC loading sounds "good". Believe me it doesn't.

I put the Blue Point through the MC stage of a Kenwood Basic C1 and it only takes a few listens to realise that it's not correct.

As for the Bellari, have you considered anything else in that range? I have a Creek OBH-18 which I replaced a Bellari with. Personally I think it's much more refined sounding than the Bellari. Creek is not a "popular" brand but believe me, they know a thing or two. I can also say that the Creek competes well beyond it's price.

Rather than the Bellari, which only buffers the signal, you should consider a true tube pre.

Grant are selling these for $325. This would give you that real tube warmth you're after.

http://www.grantfidelity.com/site/P307

As for the HOMC, I think you're barking up the right tree.

Wow, the Creek has been reduced!!

http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73360