LOL! I’ve come to admire and respect members like you and many others over the years. The combined wealth of knowledge and experience between some of you is simply off the charts. This is my second attempt at analog, so I am hoping to sustain my interest until I no longer able get off my chair to change out a record every 20 minutes…lol!
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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“what is the step up ratio on the EMIA SUT ? ” The EMIA SUT has a step up ratio of 1:20 and designed specifically to mate with Fuuga. No additional loading plugs needed as per Dave. One other setup I forgot to mention in my last post, 4) Fuuga ➡️ EMIA SUT (copper) ➡️ E-650 MM Phono board. I was told that if I chose to pursue EMIA, pure silver winding version would be the way to go. The copper version is A-Ok. |
I have recently purchased a Ned Clayton 1254 4 SUT and for about $600 +/- is outstanding. I find it more revealing than my Bob's device at double the price and it has nice, deep bass with clear highs. I am using a VPI Signature through the Ned's device with a Ortofon Bronze Cadenza cartridge through a MICHI X5 MM input. The 4 way adjustments on the Ned's device provide the Cinemag 1254's with a lot of breathing room and really are great quality. I also have a Rega FONO MC that is attached to a Planar 8 and a Ania Pro Cart and it's decent stage that makes the Rega Asia Pro sing well but I don't find it as open as the Ned SUT. |
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