SUT - electrical theory and practical experience


Some vinyl users use a SUT to enhance the signal of the MC cartridge so that it can be used in the MM input of a phono stage.  Although I don't understand the theory behind it, I realize that a SUT should be matched individually to a particular cartridge, depending on the internal impedance of the MC, among other things.  

Assuming an appropriately / ideally matched SUT and MC, What are the inherent advantages or disadvantages of inserting a SUT after the MC in the audio chain?  Does the SUT theoretically enhance or degrade the sound quality?  What does the SUT actually do to the sound quality? 

Thanks. 

drbond

In other cases, there are individuals who already have the selected Cart'.

In some cases, there is more than on Cart' in the collection of desirable models.  Again, in some cases, the users of the Cart/Cart's are expectant that their Phono Signal Path is optimised for the Cart'/Cart's to present at their best.

To assist with my experiencing a Cart' used in various operating conditions, I have a Phon' with a Very Good Quality Bult in MC Stage, that allows the Cart' to be used in multiple configurations in relation to Input Capacitance, L+R Channel Gain, Input Impedance. This device pretty much allows for a Cart' to be used, whilst subjected to a reasonable number of operational parameters.

 This same Phon' is a loaner Phon' and has been used with Ortofon's up to Windfeld Level, Miyajima and an AN IO.

The Phon' is not a lacking in SQ device, it is quite impressive, it has been used as a loaner in other systems for lengthy periods of time.

With a Head Amp attached to the MM Stage in my system, it has presented certain types of music with a Jaw Droppingly good account of itself.

In comparison to other Phon's using a SUT, it does not Wed to the SUT used, in a way that is as notable for the impression being made as with another Phon' > SUT in use

All the Cart' owners of the ones listed above have their own Designs for the Phono Signal Path, and each have their own unique configuration for the Phon' > SUT or Phon' > Head Amp. A Phon' with a Built-In dedicated MC Stage is welcome but not the preferred end game device.

The outcome being referred to, is one sharing similarities with the one that is seemingly the most prevailing within this Thread.

It does look like the difficulties with reconciling the math for the electronics and the rabbit hole leading to oblivion, commonly referred to about using SUT's only causes concern to those who want to Cudgel and Beat the methodology of the signal path being produced with a Technical Challenge.

The other side of the fence on lookers, especially those who have adopted the method of using a SUT or Head Amp, are using the reports made, looking to be quite pleased with the at hand option, to have a simple to use device, that is quite effective at offering methods to fine tune a particular presentation via a SUT or Head Amp, that is producing a presentation that has an attraction.

It is this, that is certainly one the motivators to avoid the usage of a device that is with limitations in how it can be configured, especially the type of limitation that is on offer from a dedicated MC Stage as the only option to be used.

The attraction to the method of using at hand options for working with electrical interfaces within the Phono Signal Path, is as satisfying as the ones used by myself for working with the Mechanical Interfaces required to produce a much improved environment for the LP Album to function in and the efforts made to use a Vinyl Material that is as purified from contaminant when in use as I can achieve.  

 

   

… , L+R Channel Gain,…

@pindac is a gain imbalance common in cartridges?

(I have a cart with some channel imbalance, hence the question.)

I am not educated enough to answer your question, these are the types of question I would take direct to my Third Party Cartridge Service I depend on.

Third Party Cartridge Services from what I have discovered through investigation and discussion with the Technicians does suggest there is a Channel Imbalance being checked and corrected as part of the Serice on offer.

There are Third Party Services who are happy to show evidence of their work, and some will put out photos of the Readings that are being achieved as part of the refurbishment work.

 My reasoning for the purchasing a Phonostage with a L+R Channel Gain Control, is to do with my totally trusting the Designer /Engineer and accepting the options incorporated into the device to deliver as per the designer's intent.

Additionally, as I am usually working with Dual Mono Volume Controls in the Pre- Amp's used and will one day soon have a my New Design Balanced / Single Ended Pre-Amp' Built, to be used with the Modified Power Amp's, which will have a Balanced / Single Ended Input, the option to tweak a loading on a Channel was to me a worthwhile tool, as the conversion to a Balanced Signal Path as the additional option has been projected for a very long time. 

I am avoiding the subject of Phon's and Balanced Signal Paths at present. 

@rauliruegas 

Btw, @intactaudio  : you capacitance parameter of 80pf coukld be not real to make SUT measurements as the 300k load.

as stated in the text you pulled the above numbers from, those are the actual values of the referenced phono stage cable combo not some "made up numbers" 

Normally what sees the MM stage + SUT is a load of 47k and capacitance around 200pf. Then measures arwe different that with your " choosed " parameters.

Again this is covered in the text referenced by @antinn on the first page.  It is indeed true that 47kΩ || 200pf may be a typical number, it simply represents a situation that has a good chance of being less than ideal for use with a SUT.  Gaining a fundamental understanding of the tradeoffs of the cart /SUT/phono interface goes a long way in furthering the trend of commonly occurring mistakes that historically has given SUT usage a bad rap.

Unfortuntaelly cable manafucterer almost never gives the cable capacitance but almost all are higher than 150pf and even over 200pf.

then you need a basic understanding on how load capacitance adversely effects a SUT and you also need to find a new cable manufacturer.

dave