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
Uberwaltz it is very easy to put a transformer in in such a way that the phono amp can be returned to stock and nobody would ever know it had been modified.
chakster, Sowter transformers are British and are made like SME stuff. They cost about $100 per transformer which relative to transformers with a shiny face plate and chassis is CHEAP. Uberwaltz just mentioned a used Ortofon for $600! 
Exactly Mike which I think is pretty Spendy, actually that one was $700 and there are even more Spendy examples on ebay.

And yep I will be first to admit my welding and soldering skills are woefully lacking.
Monkey 💩 springs to mind when viewing the results....
I tried to modify my WLM Phonata Reference phono stage by replacing the built-in SUTs. I gave up, because they are smaller than usual, maybe i will do that when i will find a better SUTs of the same size to fit in, the closest are 1:10 Lundahl SUTs that can be ordered directly from Sweden. This brand is one of the oldest SUTs manufacturer.
The Ortofon T30 had been praised by Jean Hiraga on a phone call we had together many years ago.
I have one.

The HM7 is a bit better sounding for me but twice the price.

If you have several carts the T30 is a top choice as can be a Air Tight ATH2 A with connections for 3 arms an different loadings.