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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
theflattire
149 posts
 

@sgordoxyz 

Just to clarify: the 1660 are output transformers in the X upgrade.

The 9226 are the SUTs (you can see them in the back near the MC inputs), which are the same as in the PH150.  The 9226 were chosen for the low gain.

I use Hashimoto HM-7s with my Modwright, but after the X/T upgrades there's no huge difference between the HM-7 and the stock MC input. I prefer the higher gain (setting the PH9.0 to -6db), and I already had the Hashimotos.

OP, I would consider an SUT if my phono stage was using active gain on the MC side.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,357 posts
 

@theflattire

I will check out the Modwright phono. The only phono on hand is my AD-50, which is a input board in my Accuphase Integrated, This phono board mated beautifully with Hana Umami Red cart on SME V arm and surprisingly bettered the EAT E-Glo S tube phono with external power supply at $5K retail.

https://www.accuphase.com/cat/ad-50_e.pdf

theflattire
149 posts
 

@lalitk 

If you just want to try for now, I would go with a Ned Clayton Cinemag 1254 off eBay.  It's adjustable 4 ways and is no slouch.  At least you can determine which amount of gain works for you and then you can go from there.

A couple of other inexpensive SUTs to try are the Entre ET100 and maybe a Fidelity Research FRT4.  They are adjustable also and have had good reviews.

boomerbillone
348 posts
 

Hello lalitk.  Yes SUTs can solve a lot of problems. Get the ones that use silver wire. Happy Listening!

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,357 posts
 

@theflattire

Thank you so much for your recommendation. Ned Clayton SUT’s looks very appealing and gives lot of flexibility.

@boomerbillone 

Agreed, I think that’s where I am headed. Buy a good MM phono and experiment with bunch of SUT’s. 

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