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

@lalitk  : the first statement in your link by the manufacturer is:

 

" the EQVES line has become a successful example of devices with which you can color your analog system. "

If that " color " is what you want, that's it.

 

Btw,  do you know why Excel did not choosed ruby material in the cantilevers in its own cartridges been the manufacturer of Etsuro and instead used BORON material?.  Very simple ruby has not the superlative characteristic as boron or diamond in catilevers and Etsuro choosed ruby, ??? ? ! !  I mentioned these twice in other threads. Good luck with.

 

R.

Mulveling, I was surprised to read that the weight of the core of a SUT could per se be a positive virtue (the idea being more is better).  I say this because it is my understanding that an air core is potentially lowest in distortion, when it comes to inductors, and a transformer is basically two inductors placed side by side.  I am no expert on transformers, but I wonder what others with more knowledge might say. The problem with an air core is loss of efficiency, so you need more turns of wire in the coil for a given effect.

@rauliruegas I know your preference for Boron and diamond cantilevers and I own both types of cantilever along with a cactus spine one. On a lark I purchased two Shure V15V bodies which were sold originally with MR styluses. Jico makes several stylus assemblies for this cartridge. Their most expensive is a Gyger S style stylus with a tapered ruby cantilever. They also offer the same stylus with a Boron cantilever for almost $200 less. The original cantilever was beryllium which due to its carcinogenic nature is no longer available. What do you think?