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Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

Some of you may aware of my Garrard 301 project, it’s now very close to completion. The plinth finally shipped from Hungry after 3 months of long wait.

Given my last experience with Hana Umami Red, I would like to take things to the next level. Which brings me to mating low output cart with a SUT. Every review I’ve read so far suggests when the SUT-MC match is right, the end result is heavenly. The bass is right, the midrange is clear, and most importantly, the highs are relaxed and extended—not rolled off.

I am not saying you can’t get great sound without a SUT but it appears with a properly matched SUT, sound can be quite magical.

Thought this would be the right time to get input from experienced users here since I am still contemplating my cartridge and outboard phonostage options.

My preference would be to go with a tube phono…I kinda miss tinkering with tubes :-)

My system, Garrard 301 (fully refurbished), Reed 3P tonearm, Accuphase E-650 with built-in AD50 analog board ➡️ Tannoy Canterbury’s.

Cart and phono under consideration through my dealer,

Fuuga - Output : 0.35 mVrms | Impedance : 2.5 Ω (1kHz)

Phonostage - Tron Convergence and Konus Audio Phono Series 1000

The cart - MC combination, I am lusting after is Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux MC with their Etsuro Transformer.
https://www.etsurojapan.com/product/bordeaux

The other transformer is EMIA, cooper or silver version.

Your input is appreciated!

128x128lalitk
dave777tx's avatar
dave777tx
32 posts
 

Fuuga amazing cartridge, Etsuro Gold too 

Phasemation EA-2000

Air Tight ATE 3011 plus Kondo SFZ step up

Try DS cartridges lol they  are amazing and no need for a SUT, at least give them a try 

willy-t
150 posts
 

I just mated a Lyra Kleos SL to a trans impedance Little Loco

and the sound is sublime.  I would highly recommend a trans impedance phono amp and forget about fiddling    What you hear is the cartridge you bought with 

no other artifacts.  Just the cart

hood lick Willy-T

jazdoc
365 posts
 

I have the Bordeaux and Fuuga and am currently using the EMIA 1:14 Silver SUT.

In my system, the silver SUT is well worth the price difference.  Jeffrey and Dave were generous in letting my try a couple different ratios to find the best one (and of course the one suggested sounded the best wink).

The Fuuga is a great all around cartridge...does everything well and it has no errors of commission.  I would describe the sound as very slightly 'tubey', i.e. slightly forgiving.

The Bordeaux probably retrieves more information and leans more slightly into 'analytical'.  I have not spent as much time with Bordeaux/EMIA combination (have been alternating between the Fuuga and Etsuro Gold).  Your post has inspired me to spend more time with the combo this week and hopefully I will remember to return to this thread.

I have no experience with the Etsuro SUT.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/excelsound-rshop:10000043/2_1/

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/excelsound-rshop:10000126/2_1/

thr1961's avatar
thr1961
67 posts
 

Echoing the comments on how important it is to find the right match between cartridge and SUT, I was fortunate enough to evaluate three different SUTs after upgrading to my current Koetsu Blue Lace.  I auditioned the CS Port (which I thought would be a good match with my turntable), SA Labs, and Koetsu. Each produced a very different listening experience and in the end, I went with the Koetsu.  I can't recall the exact sonic differences (it was a year ago), but the Koetsu stood out as providing the most balanced and revealing improvements, versus the others which seemed to overemphasize certain elements. 

Bottom line: if you can "test drive" several different transformers, I suspect you will find the right one in the end. 

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