Step Up transformer

Thanks Mulveling for your response.  I am happy with my Cadenza Bronze and my setup altogether,  Levinson no.526 preamp with class a phono stage, Levinson no.534 Amp, Revel speakers and Project Xpression10 turntable. We are all looking for the next tweak to improve our listening experience and hence my question on this forum. I heard SUTs can make an improvement,  but everyone has a different opinion. 

FWIW, all phono stages ever made, whether solid state or tube, operate in class A. When manufacturers brag about that, it’s hype.

I read the S’phile review of the ML 526. That is a very high end very expensive preamp that tested very well according to John Atkinson. It offers phono gain choices from 53db (MM) to 83db (high gain MC) in 10db increments. There’s no way you need a SUT with that unit for any real world cartridge ever made. 

Thank you lewm. It is an outstanding preamp, sounds incredible. I’ll never need to upgrade. 

IMO, the reasons for using a SUT are as above, you need more gain because of a LOMC, you have a MM only phono stage, or if your phono stage uses inferior transformers/active gain stage for MC, and also if you want to match cart loading.

I use my Hashimotos mainly because the Modwright PH9.0 uses inexpensive Lundahls in the MC side.  I feel I get better sound staging.  

Is it 'better?'  Not by a large margin, but I already had the HM-7s when I upgraded and just kept them in line.

I don't see any transformers in the nude pics of the 526; my guess would be the MC side has active gain.  An active stage is not a bad thing, but me personally prefer the simplicity of the SUT instead of sending the signal through another amplification circuit.  Just my preference.  OTOH, a SUT is creating another connection, something others might try to avoid.

If it was me, I would try one, used, so I could get my money back.

I mean you never know until you try!

GL, and as always, YMMV