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Advice on SUT for Koetsu Rosewood - EAR MC-4, Slagle/EMIA, other

I recently tried a friend's Sound Traditions Hashimoto hm7 transformer-based sut and overall the sound was substantially more Dynamic and alive and generally better than my current Berning preamp MC section. The problem was the images were just so large and the presentation a little too forward for my tastes. I am thinking a different Sut such as the EAR MC- 4 or an Intact Audio (Slagle) Step Up Transformer, copper.

Has anyone used these Sut's and could advise about whether they might do what I'm looking for? I'm hoping to add more dynamics and life but I do prefer a slightly laid-back presentation to a forward one and I don't want giant instruments in the soundstage. I listen to mostly old Jazz and Blues with some rock and classical mixed in. I am not looking for the last word in in treble detail or "air" and my biggest sonic priorities are organic , rich mids, good sounstaging, and a realistic tonal balance that does not accentuate the top end as so many components seem to do (IMHO). So I guess I am looking for a sut with a reputation for musicality and richness, without javing a forward sound. But I would love somethng as amazing sounding as the Hashimoto HM-7 based SUT.

My system is a Koetsu Rosewood Signature (.4mv), Jelco 850M on a Sota Star Sapphire, Berning all-tube bespoke capacitance coupled preamp (46 dB gain on the MM stage, Jensen transformers on the moving coil stage), Quicksilver v4 monos, Verity Audio Pafisals.

Thanks for any thoughts.


montaldo
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Yes Montaldo, Excuse me. Not sure what happened. Here is the right one.  https://www.sowter.co.uk/specs/1480.php  This is the version that is specifically meant for your cartridge which has an impedance of 5 ohms.
Notice the Bandwidth is higher. I have put these in ARC PH 3s for extremely low output cartridges and the results have been excellent. Any of the great cartridges will work with them, Air Tight, Lyra low output, Ortofon Anna etc. Wiring is simple. Just put a dab of silicone anywhere you have some real estate inside. Press the transformer into it and let it sit over night. You could add a soldering terminal to make the connections but you could also do wire to wire connections covering them with heat shrink tubing which would work just as well. 

Mike
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
rauliruegas, you do it this way and there are no additional outside connections, cables, etc giving additional fidelity and cost savings. 
You need to tube your life just a little:)

Mike 
montaldo OP
200 posts
 
Mike: It never occurred to me until I read your post but maybe I could replace the Jensen Transformers in my preamp.  or maybe you are suggesting just adding these if there is room?   I don't understand this stuff well enough to do it myself but I have a local tech who could help.  I will look at the link you sent and greatly appreciate the idea. Since the preamp has stepups could I simply upgrade the transformers? This would be amazing because I could buy the best available and make sure they are tailored to Koetsu Rosewood.  Are the ones you suggested the best your know of the best for the Koetsu, in your opinion?

Raul:  thanks so much for your thoughts,  but I am a tube guy until I die. I have listened to plenty of tube vs. Solid-state components over 35 years and theoretical arguments just don't sway me any more... I like the way tubes present music  and I am not necessarily looking to reproduce what the engineer intended, but rather to create the feeling in me that the musician intended. (An admittedly intuitive endeavor!). For these reasons I love my Koetsu Rosewood signature and have no plans to change that one!  But I totally respect your superior knowledge of the technology and appreciate that you took time to suggest things for me!

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
You bet montaldo. You would replace the ones you have and you will see that Sowter makes several versions aimed at different cartridge impedance's. The one I suggested is the right one for your Koetsu. It is a simple installation. I have no doubt your tech can do it.  

Mike
montaldo OP
200 posts
 
 I just found the info on my preamp's internal SUTs. They are Jensen JT-347-AXT Step Up transformers (1:12 ratio configured). Given these and overall MC gain of only 64dB, does this explain my lack of dynamics with the Koetsu Rosewood Signature (.4mv)?

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