Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

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 

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

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 ).

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.

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/excelsound-rshop:10000043/2_1/

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/excelsound-rshop:10000126/2_1/