Ross, are you having any issues with the phono stage? I ask, as the Etna SL is a very low output cartridge and will, I suspect, tax most phono stages. The result could easily be less dynamics and resolution along with possible distortion as the gain is increased.
While noise may not appear into the picture, until very high gain is applied (mainly applicable with a ss phono stage vs. a tube unit), a less than great sound will be the result. Did you consider the regular Etna, it is a much higher output cartridge and shouldn’t stress most any phono stage.
I am considering the Etna, as it is an excellent cartridge and hard to beat. The Etna SL may be better in some instances, but as MF pointed out in his review, you had better have one heck of a phono stage...
I don't believe there should be issues with the phono stage. I am using the internal phono stage of my EAR 912 (equivalent to the standalone EAR 88PB) which has a 3 ohm tap on the internal SUT. It is a reference level phono stage with extremely low noise for a tube unit, and the 3 ohm SUT input is intended for very low output cartridges. I also have a Whest Ref V and a Naim Superline/Supercap, which I may try with the Etna SL. It did cross my mind to get the regular Etna instead, but as my phono stages are all designed for these super-low output cartrides, I did not think there should be any issues.