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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
sgordoxyz's avatar
sgordoxyz
35 posts
 

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.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

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.  

dave777tx's avatar
dave777tx
32 posts
 

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 

willy-t
150 posts
 

I just mated a Lyra Kleos SL to a trans impedance Little Loco

and the sound is sublime.  I would highly recommend a trans impedance phono amp and forget about fiddling    What you hear is the cartridge you bought with 

no other artifacts.  Just the cart

hood lick Willy-T

jazdoc
365 posts
 

I have the Bordeaux and Fuuga and am currently using the EMIA 1:14 Silver SUT.

In my system, the silver SUT is well worth the price difference.  Jeffrey and Dave were generous in letting my try a couple different ratios to find the best one (and of course the one suggested sounded the best wink).

The Fuuga is a great all around cartridge...does everything well and it has no errors of commission.  I would describe the sound as very slightly 'tubey', i.e. slightly forgiving.

The Bordeaux probably retrieves more information and leans more slightly into 'analytical'.  I have not spent as much time with Bordeaux/EMIA combination (have been alternating between the Fuuga and Etsuro Gold).  Your post has inspired me to spend more time with the combo this week and hopefully I will remember to return to this thread.

I have no experience with the Etsuro SUT.

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