why do you need a SUT for a MM-MI cart?
Is great sound possible through an on-board, MM phono stage?
I’m considering simplifying down to an integrated amp and curious whether it’s possible to get great sound from an on-board MM phono stage. In the past, I have felt that it’s tough. I ran a Shindo Masseto’s on-board MM stage through a Hashimoto SUT, for example, and it didn’t measure up to my Coincident phono stage. Indeed, the whole business of runnng an interconnect to an external SUT to another interconnect to a tonearm is something I’d love to avoid. Are there any folks out there who felt they’ve found a winning combo with an MM or MI cartridge? Or an SUT combo that’s truly quiet, with a massive soundstage, great dynamics, and smooth performance that doesn’t break the bank? Integrateds i'm considering include the Audio Note OTO SE Signature phono, the Leben CS600, or possibly a Linear Tube Audio integrated.
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I have a Luxman Cl-38 preamp with integrated phono stage. Not sure if it is great, but very very good. If the power is adequate you might consider the LX 380 http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=16 |
glennewdick You don’t need a SUT for MM or MI, Assuming you have only 1 MM Phono Input (preamp or integrated): IF you have 1 arm with removable headshell, and a few cartridges, one being a MC, then a SUT for the MC with only 1 input will do: IF it has MM PASS, then you can go back and forth with headshells with either MM or MC cartridges. Tonearm > SUT; SUT > MM Phono Input, no need to change wires, just switch the SUT to PASS when it is receiving a MM signal (it bypasses the internal transformer(s). IF you have more than 1 tonearm, and only 1 MM phono input, you can use a SUT with more than 1 Input and MM PASS (bypass the internal transformer(s). That way it becomes a tonearm switch, you keep using your preferred MM Phono stage for each tonearm. My case, 3 tonearms: 1st fixed MC Stereo; 2nd fixed MM Mono; 3rd removable headshell (either MM Stereo or MC Stereo), 3rd arm: either one of the SUT’s 4 optional loads for headshell with MC; or switch the SUT to Pass if using a headshell with MM. I use MM Pass for the Mono arm. I use MC selected load for the fixed MC arm. .............................................. this FRT-4 is expensive, they show up for much less, but it shows it’s features https://www.ebay.com/itm/164633673789?hash=item2654ee803d:g:WLUAAOSwcnVf-M6S much better price, seller might take an offer, looks in great shape https://yahoo.aleado.com/lot?auctionID=u1000833304 .............................. |
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