Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

My experience is with the H3000 mk2, so it might be of marginal interest, although my understanding is that the H6500 uses a similar circuit, SUTs, and power supply. I find the Allnic to provide deeply satisfying inner detail and harmonic structure, excellent dynamics and plenty of openness and air around instruments. It’s tubey but not too tubey, providing that palpable quality without overt coloration. It’s quiet. These qualities are pretty much the Allnic house sound, I believe. After a decade I have no desire to replace it.

The main downside is that it is really only usable with MC cartridges that are SUT-friendly. So that leaves out, e.g., the top Benz carts like the LPS and Gullwing, which combine high DCR with higher output. OTOH, the Ebony TR is a perfect mate to the 1:40 option on the Allnic native SUT. I’m currently using an MC Diamond and Lyra Etna Lambda with excellent results. So the limitations are minor but real.

The MM inputs are quite good. I run several MM/MI and they sound terrific. The native Allnic SUTs get slagged sometimes on forums but I think they are exceedingly open and resolving without being thin. I’ve compared them to Bob’s, K&K using copper Lundahl LL1931, Quadratic, Rothwell, and Phase Tech (all of which I still own except the Quadratic and Rothwell) and I consistently prefer the native Allnic SUTs. Of course, this could be in part because they’re built in and need no extra cabling.

Another oddity of the H3000, and I’d surmise the H6500, is that the external power supply controls the sound to an absurd degree. This means your choice of rectifier tube will have an extreme effect on all aspects of the sound. The good news is that you only have to roll one tube and it seems all 5ar4 analogs are OK. The other tubes can stay stock. What you place the PS upon will also have an outsized effect, as will your choice of footers. The stock footers do it a serious disservice, IMO, making the sound too dark and unresolving. So you’ll have to do some tweaking but the results, at least to me, are worth the effort.

Tubes units normally have really high RIAA deviation 20hz-20khz some witn a swing over 1 db and why is important this deviation?: because we are talking of a curve where any discrete frequency deviation affects around 2 octaves in that RIAA curve and the deviations exist almost in all discrete frequencies in that  RIAA . You can use tubes in any place but phono stage due that in reality makes a damage ( sever ) to that cartridge MUSIC signal. In theory the RIAA eq. in a phono stage should has 0 deviation ( only through digital we can reach that 0 deviation. ) to avoid added signal fully colorations and SS in this regards is better aproach.

Dr. Stanley Lipshitz wrote an article that shows all the math for producing a proper RIAA curve. If you do the math the curve will be accurate and this has nothing to do with tubes or solid state.

The Link is to a Thread produced by a Forum Member on another for and one who I have a lot of trust in what they report.

In this case they are making known a experience had using different Phonostages in comparison, as well as using SUT's on a Phonostage Model that have been referenced on this forum recently as being a state of the art design costing $30K.

A extended read is the least the link is able to offer.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/my-next-phonostage-boulder-2008-or-ch-precision-p1-or.26346/

Dear @atmasphere  :  " this has nothing to do with tubes or solid state. " 

Ok, then is a huge coincidence that all SS  units outperforms in that regards  tube units and according what you posted I can infere that all those tube designers has not the technical knowledge levels and skills.Just incredible that so low level in tube designers. Could be a " shame " for them.

R.

'All' or most that you know of?

At any rate, I have to agree with you that 'knowledge levels and skills' is an issue. People seem to get into this sport out of desire rather than if they have the education or not.

If you take the time to read Dr. Lipshitz's paper you will see that it has nothing to do with the kind of amplification. If the electronics are designed according to the math in the paper it will have correct EQ.