Choosing the right SUT for my setup

Greetings

To OP

I didn’t read what type of phono preamp you are presently using. If you only have a MM phono stage, then yes you will need a SUT. 
The cartridge’s that you list can easily be used with most MC phono stages. Any MC cartridge above 0.2 mv should work fine with most MC phono stages, with a gain of 60 to 65 db.

‘If you just want to experiment with SUT, go for it but be warned that picking out the wrong one is throwing money away. Also picking out the wrong one will give you lots of HUM for you to listen to.

‘I recommend that you read the article that is located in the “Vinylengine website” titled Step Ups and MC Cartridge’s. It is very well written and wealth of information. It was written in 2006 but still applies today. It has all the info you need to calculate the correct SUT for your cartridge.

The bottom line is that going  for a dedicated MC phono stage is the best way to go.

Just for reference I have 3 dedicated MC phono preamps and 2 MM phono stages. I also have a Denon AU-S1 SUT that I use with and only with my Denon DL-S1 cartridge. The DL-S1 has an output of 0.15 mv. Can be hard to drive do to it being below 0.2 mv.

Joe Nies

@jctyler 

I must also apologize for highjacking your thread. I didn't mean to do so. But maybe you have both sides of the issue. Choose one and enjoy

Neither is necessarily best, it is what your own ears decide. My ears prefer the SUT routed to the MM section of a Tubed phono preamp. Any hum encountered when using a SUT can sometimes be caused from using inferior wires. You should be using a phono specific cable, preferably a shielded one. However, hum can be eliminated by turning, repositioning , or relocating the SUT.

SUT’s do not have universal loading, meaning that just because a SUT is a 1/10 version does not necessarily mean the cartridge will see 470 ohms. Here is an example, my Jensen mc-2rr-L has a 430 ohm impedance that the cartridge will see, while my Rothwell mcx SUT, also 1/10, presents a 100 ohm loading.

The only reason those specific 1:10 SUT’s present 430ohms/100ohms to the cartridge is because they have either a zoebel network or resistive loading that is reducing the load seen by the cartridge from 470ohms.

A 1:10 turns ratio SUT with no loading will present 470ohms to the cartridge.

@dover yes. you are correct, as mathematically it should be 470 ohms. All im saying is do Not assume that is what you are getting. You need to look at the specs...

All Rothwell SUT’s are 100 ohm, the Jensen specifies 430 ohm....it is all there to read on their respective websites.. other makes of SUT’s, who knows what loading they provide, as i don’t own any of them.

So in essence, the Rothwell is used for the likes of my eroica lx and my ortofon quintet blue. Both of which specify a 100 ohm loading. The Jensen is used for my Hana el and my denon 103, both of which specify 400 ohm or greater. If you are not careful you can be applying to large or too small a resistive load to your particular moving coil cartridge, which Will effect its performance and sound.

Boutique SUT’s will provide the user with whatever loading value you desire, However, off the shelf SUT’s have what they have, so you must be careful and do homework. If you believe that cartridge loading does not matter, well then, forget it and be happy.

I like to follow what the manufacturer recommends.

Less loading, numerically higher ohm # will result in a brighter, thinner sound. While more loading, numerically lower ohm# results in a fatter, duller sound with a more pronounced bass.

It’s like the goldilocks and the 3 bears fairy tail, you want the loading just right, like her porridge.