SUT vs. Phono preamp

Yes, Benz cartridges are not known to be SUT happy and prefer phono stages that can increase output without transformers.   However, in my case, the Audio Interface is an ideal match for an SUT.   My cable maufacturing friend built a low noise, subminiature tube step up but we couldn't get the impedance just right through changing of resistors.  It still had substantially more noise than I wanted to live with.  

I have a Premier (Sumiko) S.U.T. and a Pre-Amp, like Boofer posted earlier, I can't hear a difference. 

On what basis? Try it.

Hook up your cartridge to your phono stage and listen to a record cut at low volume levels, set to the volume you like to hear.
- Do you hear distortion?
- Does it play loud enough?
- Lift the cartridge. Do you hear a hissing noise?

If you answer ’yes’ or ’no’ or ’yes’, then a good SUT will help. How good? About as good as your cartridge. Oxygen free SUT’s from Sowter are very good, but the amorphous core - silver wound SUT’s from Lundahl are the best I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard some very good ones.

Even so, my phono-pre is marginally better for dynamics and weight with a platinum Koetsu.

terry9

Have you tried the Lundahl SUT wound with the Cardas wire?

Thanks,
Scott

I have auditioned a home-made (not by me) Sowter SUT which sounded very dynamic but could not achieve the correct tonal balance.  It couldn't have been an impedance mismatch as it was rated at 220 ohms the same as my current Audio Interface.  Something else apparently.