Can I use a step up transformer?

Dear @czarivey : Agree with.

If for example an active gain PS was designed for cartridges over 0.3mv and has no MM stage and we want to listen a 0.20 mv cartridge then we need to change, either, the PS or the cartridge with  higher output level.

As I posted, with LOMC cartridges what we always need is to match Phono Stage gain not impedances.

I think that existed and exist a misunderstood ( including me. ) not only on SUTs but in the overall subject.
Many vintage SUTs and even today ones comes with the possibility to choose different " load impedance " ( normally a selector switch: 3 ohms and 40 ohms or 20 ohms or whatever. ) and where the selected " impedance " has different  gain( 34 db, 26 db or 20 db or whatever. ). Other SUTs only said:  3 ohms to 20 ohms.

ALL those created the misunderstood because in a SUT we don't have to match the cartridge impedance with the SUT impedance that as a fact does not exist as we could think.
Again, only match gain with the phono stage.

Phono stages that comes with a selctor switch for MC load impedance ( normally at th first input stage. ) or/and different  gain levels goes against the quality performance level of the cartridge signal: it performs a signal degradation.

Overall interaction of all  these and the PS design generates several anomalies/distortions even could affect the critical/delicate equilibrium in the passive RIAA eq. frequency response deviation on both channels and certainly we can hear it.

@thuchan posted:   """  Good systems deserve using SUTs!  """

i disagree with. What we need for LOMC cartridge is way better active high gain Phonolinepreamp designs and that's all. I think this is still the real challenge for all designers.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Btw and for all those audiophiles that like to modify/upgrade by it self electronics like a Phonolinepreamp could be interesting that all them can check with a printed diagram the today RIAA eq. deviation after their modifications and compare it vs before those changes along today distortion levels and its changes.

I'm sure they will find a not so nice " surprise " .

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

"If phonostage gain not enough, investing to higher output cartridge is wiser than to SUT. That's where math easily replaces all the science behind."

- sounds simple, but isn't. Using higher output cartridges you are facing several disadvantages you need to tackle at the matching process.

"What we need for LOMC cartridge is way better active high gain Phonolinepreamp designs and that's all." 

- looks also like a simple solution but isn't too. Otherwise we would have seen designs yet.

I am getting the impression this a lot of  theoretical talk rather having experimented with excellent MCs and perfect matching SUTs. 

A perfect matched SUT is not only able to provide the gain one needs, it also gives a more profound, stable, dynamic and deep sound structure,
in comparison to some Phono pres which provide thin air.

Dear @thuchan :   """  sounds simple, but isn't. Using higher output cartridges you are facing several disadvantages you need to tackle at the matching process. """

your statement makes no sense to me or at least makes no sense till you have a real explanation about.
 Please let me know, if for example: I own an active high gain PS designed for MC cartridges with at least an output of 0.3mv and things are that I own a cartridge with a lower output ( say: 0.20mv. ) that I really can't use it with.
Which are those several disadvantages you name it if instead of the low output cartridge I buy and use one with 0.35 mv?



"""   looks also like a simple solution but isn't too. Otherwise we would have seen designs yet.

I am getting the impression this a lot of  theoretical talk rather having experimented with excellent MCs and perfect matching SUTs.  """

totally false. Nothing of those is only theoretical and in my case I experimented for more years than you with the best vintage and today SUTs and with today and vintage top PS, either SS and tube designs.

In the other side we have not more SS high gain active Phonolinepreamp because it's not an easy design task and this is the main reason not you " theoretical " take.


"""  A perfect matched SUT is not only able to provide the gain one needs, it also gives a more profound, stable, dynamic and deep sound structure,
in comparison to some Phono pres which provide thin air.  """


with all my respect to you another " false " statements and no-sense ones.Thin air? that could be because a not first rate active high gain PS design.

What seems to me is that you speak for your own experiences that tell me for sure that you never experimented with a first rate active high gain PLP and that's why you are " hidden " between a bad PS alond SUTs. Believe me tehre is no " magic " down there but that you like those higher distortions.
As always, at the end we can't kill distortions.


"""  facing two coils looking at each other, the one of the cart, the other of the SUT. You need harmonizing both .... """

where do you learn this because IMHO is " false " too. That's is really a simplistic point of view with no facts. Where are those facts?


Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

But Master....it sounds so much better with the SUT.

Grasshopper.....it only sounds better because of the colossal distortions.
You need to eliminate all better-sounding equipment and insert ’finer’ pieces elsewhere in your system.

But Master....how will I know I have reached Nirvana?

You will know Grasshopper, when you have inserted enough ’fine’ equipment to give the foulest of sounds.

And then Master, will I have eliminated these ’distortions’ of which you speak...?

Only then Grasshopper......only then...👼🏼