Step Up Transformer Question

@rmdmoore When using a SUT there is a possibility Hum can occur.

One cause of this can be using a RCA Connection that does not have a good bite.

The most simple method to try to remove/ substantially reduce a Hum, is to move the SUT around in relation to the Phon' and TT. Typically a movement away from both will start to create a change to the level being heard.

As short Cables are recommended between SUT > Phon' the movement of the SUT with a short cable may not be enough to have an effective control.

It has been a very long time since I done this, but in the past have also had good success using a very small gauge earth wire to bridge across connectors on the SUT. From recollection the Bridging has been done in line and not across channels. 

As for Cable selection, for quite some time now I have been an advocate of a Cable using PC Triple C wire for the Signal Path. My recommendation for RCA Connectors are outlined in a earlier post.    

@elliottbnewcombjr you got it. The total gain with the inbuilt SUT and 12ax7s in P

place is 70db. My understanding is that if I place a 1:10 SUT on the MM input it will have the same.

@lewm I appreciate what you're saying and in truth, yes, I agree with not liking 12au7s in my line stage. I had a Rogue RP-7 and did a lot of tube rolling and in the end just didn't like it that much. I switched over to linestages with 6sn7 and I love them. You should check out the design of the Rogers PA-2 which is my phono stage. As I said, different tubes in one of the gain stages is how you adjust the gain of the unit. It's a pretty cool design. When I had a Hana ML cart, 12au7 were great, when I had the cadenza black, 12av7 worked well, with the current cart I need all the gain so 12ax7. 

@pindac I did move it around some and the hum didn't change much. Maybe the issue is more that the crappy RCAs have loosely goosey connectors that hum some. I ordered some new cables that should have better connectors and shielding so we'll see. 

There are folks on here making blatant statements about diminishing returns of an SUT.  Being an owner of some of the finer SUT's (EMIA Ag, Cotter Mk2L, Tango Silver), I can tell you definitely that not all SUT's are equal.  The statements being made are of those that have systems that do not have the ability to differentiate a silver SUT vs copper or are basing it on their hunch. Don't underestimate the qualities of a higher end SUT, unless you have tried it and your system can handle it.

I would check the specs of your phono Stage’s Sensitivity.

My McIntosh mx110z for instance, the MM Phono Input’s sensitivity is 3mv.

Signal Strength:

My cartridge’s output is 0.3mv. I use xFactor 18.27, thus signal strength to Phono MM input is 5.4mv. A bit of loss, guessing: perhaps 5.2mv, at least 5.0

Your cartridge 0.2mv x10 is only 2mv out to MM Phono input. I think too low, and perhaps the source of hum. A bit of loss, you might be getting only 1.8mv.

To find out, you could borrow a friend's SUT or Phono Stage with a higher xFactor, or order one from a source like amazon, with 30 day returns, try, keep or return.

Even if you don’t prefer it’s sound, it will tell you something about you existing x10’s involvement in the hum.

..................................

I prefer a stronger signal than mx110z’s 3mv minimum, keeps preamps volume centered, and closer to my MM cartridge’s 5mv output.

Switching arms/cartridges, the volume is not that different. I change volume remotely via my Integrated Amp’s Volume, thus preamp’s volume never moves, except when I often swish it full left/full right a few times, to keep the internal contacts fresh, it’s a Vintage control. I also use contact cleaner on all the controls once per year to prevent noise.

Another Chart I had found: Cartridge Specs and Recommended Impedance Load. (you need to increase your monitor's zoom to read these).