I am making no value judgement, but be aware that Thoress uses a JFET in addition to tubes in order to develop sufficient gain with LOMC cartridges. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; the Steelhead does it too. What’s the big deal about the 6J5? It’s equal to one half (one section) of a 6SN7, which is a great medium mu tube and easier to find. I’d advise against choosing gear based on content of seemingly exotic parts.
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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You have inspired me to finally pull the trigger on a new SUT for my Koetsu - have been Hamlet-ing the decision for almost a year and a half now. So thank you. I went with the Swissonor, will report back. Re SUT vs. active stage, I had a great discussion (email) with Andrew Rothwell before I bought one of his units several years ago. Here’s a portion of his thoughts: “Hi Steve. Yes, noise is indeed a potential problem with headamps - but noise is a potential problem with any audio electronics. Actually, there are various types of noise and various ways it can infest an audio signal. The type of noise most likely to plague a headamp is Johnson noise, aka thermal noise, which is a hissing sound. With a step-up transformer you're unlikely to have any hiss problems, but you're more likely to have hum problems. Anyway, without getting too deep into the topic of noise, let me assure you the Headspace has very low noise - way below vinyl surface noise. I leave the choice between headamp and SUT to the customer, but with your system being valve-based the transformer option seems more fitting - no transistors :-). Btw, no the battery doesn't address the issue of Johnson noise at all. It addresses the issue of mains-borne noise and potential ground loops. Regards. Andrew” |
@sns Good to hear from you and thank you for your feedback. Like I said, I am digging the features and it’s been compared favorably with big dogs. One of my favorites is Air Tight ATE-3011…wish I can afford it. Let’s see where I land…it’s all very exciting, the process and the pursuit. |
@mdalton I have tried 4 SUT's with my diamond Koetsu: lower cost Sowter (OK), Koetsu (a bit dull), Audio Note (expensive), and Lundahl 1931 AG (best transformer overall). My Mayajima hums when feeding the phono stage directly, so I use the 1931's for that - but otherwise I have a slight preference for direct amplification. The 1933AG might be better than the 1931AG here. Best sound of all is my big Grado, which needs no help. |
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