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.
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!
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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. |
@sgordoxyz Unless something has changed, the Lundahl step up transformers in the ModWright PH 9.0 XT are their lower end LL926 ones. I suspect they are actually a weak point in an otherwise excellent phono stage. |
@lalitk The Plinth is an extreme sample of a High Quality Workmanship. If a Bentley Continental Owner was Specifying a TT as an extra, this Plinth would be the Sales Person recommendation. As for SUT's I have a broad experience and have even been Demo'd not too far in the past, the very elusive to be discovered 'The Head or Brick' SUT designed by TDP, prior to the EAR Company being Incorporated. This was presented as a Model at a Comparison using Step Up and Head Amp's. Firstly, Is the Phon's on the Shortlist not capable of matching the Cart's shortlisted? I strongly recommend having the experience of the Phon's only, before looking at alternate MC Amplification options used in conjunction with owned Phon' / Phon's.. Secondly, and underpinned by the recently discovered SUT Model experienced in use as a Perfect Match for a Miyajima Cart' , where the SUT was supplied with a Copper Wound Tranx, which had a profound impact on myself. On the same day another same Company Model with a Silver Wound Tranx was also used with the Miyajima Cart', the end result being that this Company has compelled me to place their Products experienced way up on my list of must experience a Home Trial. I strongly recommend an investigation, even a dialogue with the Company Sculpture A about their options to be offered on SUT's. Thirdly, I strongly recommend not to overlook Head Amp' Designs. Note: My experiences of SUT's has brought to the fore, the notion that SUT's are injecting Various amounts of a discernible Richness of Tone. A choice to be considered is how much perception of Richness of Tone an individual is willing to live with. The perception of Tonal Presence can be from one type of Tranx (Cinemag 1254) perceived to the point of being towards lean, with a Tranx (Brand not recollected Models 800 or 1200) both of these are overbearingly Bass Weighted, being beyond what I would refer to as a injection of Richness of Tone. Head Amp's are the opposite, certain models can present with a perception they are a close match in Tone to a SUT that has a Lean Tone (Hint of Richness). The Head Amp' is also capable of moving towards a Bright unbearable presentation. It is the individuals choice where they 'get of the bus', on their journey to find the end sonic they are willing to live with. I don't know any who found the comfort zone on their first toe tip on to the Waters of MC Signal Amplification. I have a few Phonostages, A few SUT's and a Loan Option on a selection of an individuals own design Head Amp's to satisfy my overall listening needs. I do not regularly use one of the Phon's' in use Built In MC Stage. Even though good and very well reviewed by a Group who long term loaned the Phon. For myself, the Phon' does not present with the same attraction a SUT or Head Amp can create in use through the MM Input, hence I have added expense to the method for using this Phon'.
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