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

“I do know the enjoyment to be had entertaining oneself trying out the extent of Permutations that can be created for the Vinyl Signal Path. ”
@pindac 

That’s been my goal all along! Thanks again for your input :-)

Agreed - same here, and well said on that point @pindac .

@rauliruegas I respect your bilingual skills, especially as I have none to speak of. I certainly wasn't knocking that, nor singling you out - it was meant as a general comment as to how these threads always go in this analog forum:

  1. Op has a specific inquiry or technical question.
  2. The usual crew trots out briefcases full of their own specific, narrow perspectives, retrofits them onto the op's inquiry (often very poorly) and dumps them on op's thread.
  3. There is the usual bickering between participants, as the thread descends into a wall after wall of text largely incomprehensible to anyone but those participants. 

So to admit my own guilt in this game, my schtick is that subjective listening experience and perception is key. I realize that some find this perspective worthless.

@lalitk I am a Curioso in character, but do need to have a Tangible Experience when attempting to attain a knowledge.

I see your activities to be undertaken as a very similar trait and I feel very confident in my saying much of what has been thrown at you to steer you away from your intention is a waste to you, not worthwhile to you.

As for Shortest / Purest Signal Path.

Take electronics produced at a time say around 2010, say a Phonostage produced from that era. Has it got Pure Copper or Coated Brass for the Chassis Cable Connections? How much lead is in the Solder? How much Silver is in the Solder? Which metal is the lead out wire on a component.

The list is just a few considerations, a well thought out Signal Path being very careful with math and metal types selected to be used at a interface will offer something quite special as an end sound.

My own investigations have left me to feel very confident, when a careful metal material selection is made for interfaces. This is capable of outshining another Phon' that only has a Math as its selling point, and is creating a inferior Signal Path resulting from inferior Interface Metals selected. 

Inferior metals are commonly selected when a design is to offer the most attractive margins as a return remuneration.  

I have been privy to work carried out on a Tonearm Signal Path and Bespoke Design SS State Phon' and my own Bespoke Built Valve Phon'. My fundamental influences proposed was when the Amp's were near Voiced and presenting with attraction, was to work on the Signal Path focusing on materials used for Interfaces. Great indelible memories are made, and the approach taken has become the method I thoroughly recommend to be experienced.

I have referenced some of the methods used within the forum. 

As to SUT's referred to in the Link I supplied.

Two Individuals who have seemingly owned over time approx' $180Kish Phon's of which certain models approach $30K+ Retail are both dedicated to using SUT's of various Types married up to these Phon' Models.

I have no reason not to believe both of these individuals know a thing or two about how to have a high quality end sound produced when using a Vinyl Source.    

Dear @mulveling  : " listening experience and perception is key. I realize that some find this perspective worthless. "

 

I agree and for me it's not worthless. With out those first hand experiences we can't grow up along each one of us objectivity trying to keep a rational equilibrium in between.

 

Thank's for your answer, appreciated.

 

R.

“With out those first hand experiences we can't grow up along each one of us objectivity trying to keep a rational equilibrium in between.”

@rauliruegas 

So after dozen posts, you’re basically agreeing upon on, 

“The importance of firsthand experiences that help us develop objectivity and maintain a balanced, rational perspective. It is only after our own trial and tribulations, we gain a better understanding on evaluating situations thus leading to more informed and fair judgments.”

If the individual stays the journey and has many musical encounters whilst on route. There is inevitably going to be a point where a discovery is made that they have worked out how to produce a end sound that is totally satisfying and unique to their preferences.

When the individual discovers the end sound that is the one that they want to be entertained by forever, or at least until the next hone is added.

I am certainly not going to be the one to suggest their discoveries and choices made are only showing how stupid they are.

I am certainly going to wish them all the very best with the method they have  discovered and adopted, that is proving to be a great form of entertainment for them when listening to music, or any other form of healthy entertainment on such a matter.