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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
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 

Dear @lalitk : Good news from you and for you to know that your Accuphase fulfill better your room/system reproduction targets than the Dartzeel.

 

Now, I linked those integrated units to compare apples with apples and Accuphase is tour " apple ", good.

 

Now, when I posted degradation word this means too something we can’t forget and is that added units/items means losting MUSIC information that we can’t recovery and no audio unit can do it. Added tubes in your system chain means ( normally ) higher noise levels vs SS units.

Btw, you and other gentleman posted the word " magic/magical " in reference to quality units performance and those words are audiophile adjectives only. MUSIC is not magic but beauty as sculpture or paints by Rembrandt and the like.

Enjoy your system and good luck.

 

R.

 

"  so I use the 1931's for that - but otherwise I have a slight preference for direct amplification. "

 

Coming that statement from @terry9  means a lot for any one.

 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,613 posts
 

"MUSIC is not magic"

@rauliruegas

I did not say Music is Magic. My exact words, "Mid-range is simply magical" which IMHO translates to, something beautiful or delightful in such a way that it draws or transports you into state of bliss.

Enjoy the Music and IGNORE the adjectives :-)

@mdalton 

Congratulations!  I am looking forward to hearing your impressions on Swissoner SUT.  And appreciate you for sharing the insight on noise from one of the brilliant minds in the industry. 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
500 posts
 

@lalitk 

Happy to share whatever modicum of knowledge I have.  Regarding adjectives, don’t you think life would be dull without them?

“My wife is so beautiful.”

“This scotch has just the right amount of peatiness and smoke.”  

“That sunset has a gorgeous combination of orange, purple and pink.”  

”Life is good.”  

lol! Will definitely report back on the new Swissonor!

terry9
2,354 posts
 

@mdalton   Only a guess, no experience.

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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 

@lalitk  : It's weird but no one ask so I would like to ask you:

what do you don't like in your  AD-50.What's wrong down there about its quality level reproduction performance?

 

Thank's.

 

R.

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