Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

Personally, I wouldn’t get hung up on Copper vs Silver windings

@lalitk @kennyc Totally agree - I became a SUT lover on "just" copper windings. In fact, tried the silver (Ag) version of Lundahl LL1931 (in a K&K box) versus the copper LL1931 in my VAC phono, and preferred copper (qualifying that a bit - the Lundahls aren’t my preference in general). Kevin Hayes of VAC has also told me he prefers the copper version, regardless of price. Not saying that can be extrapolated to other SUT makes - but copper ain’t bad! Sometimes I think that if copper cost over $1000 / oz, it would be the most desired audiophile wire metal BY FAR. We take for granted that it's so good, and affordable. 

There is no substitute for trying things in your system and make an informed decision based on your own findings.

Also totally agree

“if copper cost over $1000 / oz, it would be the most desired audiophile wire metal BY FAR….We take for granted that it’s so good, and affordable.”

@mulveling

Agreed. I believe lot of our choices are driven by our personal preferences, budget and system constraints. When it comes to audio, there are so many ways to skin the cat.

Speaking of SUT’s, there is a brand from France called Sculpture. They are appear to be well built and reasonably priced. Don’t get much press in US but they are quite popular across the pond. I plan to try one once the dust settles on my choice of cart and phono.

@lalitk 

dealer I worked with on Swissonor - Constantin at Atelier 13 - carries Sculpture as well.

@mulveling : I certainly respect your knowledge and your ears, and those of Kevin Hayes, too, having been a VAC man myself for a long time. But I have to disagree about the LL1931Ag. I recently picked up a last-gen K&K Maxxed Out with the silver Lundahls. I love ’em, finding them deeper, more resolving, and more "lit from within," to use a hackneyed audiophile trope, than the copper version, which I’ve had for years in a K&K Premium SUT. Just goes to show, to each their ears!

@mulveling : I certainly respect your knowledge and your ears, and those of Kevin Hayes, too, having been a VAC man myself for a long time. But I have to disagree about the LL1931Ag. I recently picked up a last-gen K&K Maxxed Out with the silver Lundahls. I love ’em, finding them deeper, more resolving, and more "lit from within," to use a hackneyed audiophile trope, than the copper version, which I’ve had for years in a K&K Premium SUT. Just goes to show, to each their ears!

@wrm57 that's fair! Agree the LL1931Ag does indeed dig deeper; just wasn't the right tonal balance in my system for my ears.