Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

@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'.  

Pinwa mentioned a specific Lundahl transformer and felt it lowered the quality of the MidWright PH 9.0. My unit has two LL1660S transformers. (18mA) I have no idea if these are better but this is what I have. I think this phono stage is very revealing.

SUT Brand is now recollected ( Audio Innovations 1200 ) produced by a Company that has as part of its history, an individual that is now the Owner of AN UK. 

A SUT with this type of influence on the end sound, will change the balance of Coherence across the frequencies, to the point the Mid's, Upper Mid's and Highs are all seemingly subdued and not able to project. 

That said, the same SUT used with a Valve Input / Output Phon' at a Phon' Bake Off when a liberty was given to mix and match devices. Resulted in the pairing producing a Venue Filling Sound quite different to any other Phon' > SUT used in the venue on the day. The impact made was that it was applauded when playing John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom Boom.  

Fuuga amazing cartridge, Etsuro Gold too 

Phasemation EA-2000

Air Tight ATE 3011 plus Kondo SFZ step up

Try DS cartridges lol they  are amazing and no need for a SUT, at least give them a try