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Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

Some of you may aware of my Garrard 301 project, it’s now very close to completion. The plinth finally shipped from Hungry after 3 months of long wait.

Given my last experience with Hana Umami Red, I would like to take things to the next level. Which brings me to mating low output cart with a SUT. Every review I’ve read so far suggests when the SUT-MC match is right, the end result is heavenly. The bass is right, the midrange is clear, and most importantly, the highs are relaxed and extended—not rolled off.

I am not saying you can’t get great sound without a SUT but it appears with a properly matched SUT, sound can be quite magical.

Thought this would be the right time to get input from experienced users here since I am still contemplating my cartridge and outboard phonostage options.

My preference would be to go with a tube phono…I kinda miss tinkering with tubes :-)

My system, Garrard 301 (fully refurbished), Reed 3P tonearm, Accuphase E-650 with built-in AD50 analog board ➡️ Tannoy Canterbury’s.

Cart and phono under consideration through my dealer,

Fuuga - Output : 0.35 mVrms | Impedance : 2.5 Ω (1kHz)

Phonostage - Tron Convergence and Konus Audio Phono Series 1000

The cart - MC combination, I am lusting after is Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux MC with their Etsuro Transformer.
https://www.etsurojapan.com/product/bordeaux

The other transformer is EMIA, cooper or silver version.

Your input is appreciated!

128x128lalitk
br3098
994 posts
 

@lalitk I have owned a lot of SUTs over the years, including Ortofon ST-80 (great w/ SUT cartridges), Bob's Devices w/ Cinemag transformers (highly recommended, and Bob is a great guy), A123, various SUTs using Hashimoto HM-5 & HM-7 transformers (very distinctive sound) and Audio Note. There have been others as well.

Having listed all of these you need to decide which cartridge(s) you want to use and then pick an SUT to match. Or vice versa. Some SUTs have switchable gain but they will still sound better with particular cartridges. This is the beauty of head amps - you with most of them you can change settings to precisely match your cartridge.

barolobrain
48 posts
 

I've used a number of different SUTs over the years but the one that sounds best with my current carts is an EMIA CU 20:1.  I run it unloaded into the MM of my Zesto Andros Deluxe II and it sounds great.  The carts I current use with it are a Dynavector XV-1s, ZYX Airy 3x and a Koetsu Urushi Wajima.  I did try a Lyra Kleos SL last year and that was a bad match for me.  I've heard that silver is the way to go so funds permitting, lol.  Good luck!

dodgealum
1,402 posts
 

Curious whether anyone has experience with the Audio Creative Mediator SUT. Looks like an exceptional unit from the maker of the Groovemaster tonearm, which is a stellar platform for the Ortofon SPU series carts.

terry9
2,309 posts
 

I have a Koetsu diamond cantilever, and it sounds best with direct amplification. The silver Lundahl provides a close second to direct amplification. But better than either combination is the big Grado with the same phono stage. IMO. YMMV.

sgordoxyz's avatar
sgordoxyz
31 posts
 

I suggest you check out the ModWright PH 9.0 XT. The XT is an upgrade with Lundahl SUT’s and the power supply is tube rectified. Just using a SUT mean using the MM input so matching impedance could be an issue. I have seen but never owned some SUT’s with many adjustments to manage the gain also. I am very happy with the PH 9.0 XT. I use it with an Acoustic Signature Hurricane plus Hana Red and it is connected to a PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp. That connects to 2 EVO 400 power amps plus Sopra 3’s and REL 212 SX subs. 

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