Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

@rauliruegas You know me. I will look at that stylus under high mag and If I do not like it, away it goes. I will post pictures on Imgur along with the others. 

the Jico SAS is a namiki (orbray) Microridge.  The original SAS had a boron cantilever and was replaced by sapphire about 6 years ago when the supply of boron rod went away for just over a year so the switch to sapphite was purely logistical and the boron option returned when the raw materials became available again.  FWIW I much prefer the sound of the boron to the sapphire

dave

@mijostyn  : Yes, you have to and play and listen with. I owned the boron and sapphire/ruby and really did not like me its quality build.

Now, SAS had one for Technics cartridge ( boron ) and almost all the owners were not satisfied with . 

If you don't like it and due that the Shure V15-V was the top of the line and very good performer you can send to J.Long to fix it with the first rank quality build by Namiki boron MR or other alternatibe could be the boron Shibata ( 72um.) he has both and other options from Gyger and Ogura.

Good luck.

R.

I’ve been circling around this thread because I’m in the same boat.  To reduce noise I got a VDH current phono stage, but I also have Koetsu stone and Ortofon SPU carts which reportedly work well with SUTs.  This would require purchasing budget challenging quality voltage MM stage and likely silver SUTs.

Unsure which SUTs: 

• Match SPU brands (Ortofon SUT for SPUs, Koetsu SUT for Corralstone). It’s likely copper
• Zesto Audio Andros Allasso SUT- very versatile, but copper
• EMIA - custom silver- amongst the very best but pricey

Also, unsure of how much I’d need to spend for a quality “voltage” MM phono stage.

Dear @kennyc  : "  have Koetsu stone and Ortofon SPU carts which reportedly work well with SUTs. "

Do it you a favor and just forget ( for now ) what other reported because the type of higher distortions/fake colors that they like maybe do not like you because your targets could be different.

If what you want is to listen what's in recording then forgeret about SUTs that only degrades the cartridge signal and no matter what can't improve/enehance in any way the cartridge signal.

You can read this M:Fremer full review on this active high gain MM/MC phono stage and take a look with wich cartridges he reviewed along which preamp:

PS Audio Stellar Phono phono preamplifier | Stereophile.com

M.Fremer:

" 

I recommend a listen to the Stellar to anyone in the market for a new phono preamp, regardless of price. I don't think I've ever written that before. Like darTZeel's clever engineer Hervé Delétraz, Myers designs using a deft combination of technical knowhow and careful listening, more interested in the sonic outcome than in getting the absolute best measured performance. In my view, that's a winning approach.

Footnote 1: As you can see in the measurements section, JA called the RIAA response "superbly accurate."  "

Or you can go for the Phonolinepreamp as Dartzeel or Boulder. Just remember that the quality sound in any LOMC cartridge depends not only of a first rate phono stage but needs to a first rate line stage preamp.

If you can, stay far away from any SUT at any price MUSIC deserves a lot more than just that and you too.

R.