Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

Dear @lewm  : " I don’t think you can fairly make a case for SUT over high gain phono on the basis of simplicity. A high gain stage may consist of one gain device at the input of what otherwise is an MM stage. No extra ICs, no outboard chassis, much shorter connections. "

I agree with you and the problem is that exist to many tube owners and ( with all respect ) a high technical ignorance levels ( manufacturers know that but they are doing the bussiness. Taking advantage of the $$$$$ market. ) along that several of us in reality can't appreciate the real MUSIC and almost all go for what they like no matter what even that if what they are listen it is wrong against the active high gain stage. These problems makes that gentlemans as mulveling and all the ones in this thread are happy with SUTs. Even they don't try to help the OP and they do not like to analize the whole subject in objective/subjective equilibrium.

After my post where I mentioned the facts about what the OP want to do no one of these SUT advocates gentlemans makes any single comment: dead silence and I can infere from that that they has to arguments against all those facts other that our famous: " I like it " that is a end of a dialogue. Really pity but such is audio life.

@lalitk   Grado Epoch.

R.

@rauliruegas 

?  Didn’t realize we were in a competition, lol!  But if so, I’m sticking with Andrew Rothwell’s view - choose whichever you like best.  They each have their advantages (and disadvantages).

@lalitk   : " given my investment in Carts (north of $10K),  "

Then do it a favor and don't " walk " with back steps. Don't lost MUSIC information and don't add more signal degradations that your beloved cartridges pick-up during its very hard/tremendous effort on LP playback.

R.

@mulveling

Appreciate your feedback based on your extensive experience. I am also leaning towards Tube MM phono + SUT. With a SS system, if one place I can possibly insert a tube component; this would be IT. I am trying to line up few auditions and let’s see which pairing of phono + SUT I end up preferring.

@herman ..EMIA is on my list :-)

Those advocating simplicity or short signal path, I have already experienced that in my previous analog setup. I may end up adopting a phono that does it all in a single chassis but not until I tryout a MM phono + SUT pairing in my system.

@lalitk

I concur with comments made that the most direct path, with least material and equipment, can give optimum sound closer to sensation of live music.

One example worked well in my set-up: wiring tonearm cable direct to valve phono board, bypassing RCA plug, socket, and wire, resulted in notably more dynamic sound.

For MC use, there are very satisfied users of Abbas SUT’s, so I just ordered a new valve phono from him with switchable (MM-MC) SUT’s on board ( Abbas Hephaestus RIAA ). It is dual mono design with Mullard Ef37 valves (used in Colossus computer from WW2) and other large Octals. I have one of his EL84 RIAA’s and music sounds highly dynamic, big, and rich, on some LP’s, shockingly real.  (I took out of my system a valve preamp in favour of a TVC for more transparency).  I placed a photo from Abbas of each unit side by side at bottom of my system page.

So I will have flexibility for low output carts (I want to try Mono Miyajima, which sounds wonderful in a friend’s system) with Abbas Hephaestus RIAA, and will soon work out whether I have the same finding as another writer’s comment :

“Best sound of all is my big Grado, which needs no help”.

Similar to Grado, I use Decca MI’s. These cartridges direct into Abbas EL84 RIAA stage sound closest to live music, to my ears, “with no need of help”.

Good luck with your experiment.