Thanks for the heads up. I may pick up the Sculpture copper version if I end up with Fuuga and Bordeaux carts 🤣
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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@lewm : As you know I owned 3 original MC2000, yes I like it. All came directly from Ortofon to me in México ( no distributor in my country. ). In those times no one not even reviewers looks at the stylus/cantilever joint under microscope so I can't attest on it. One of those samplezs made a trip to VDH for boron cantilever and it ouperformed the other two. Now, i still ownthe MC20MK2 that's a model that appeared before the 2000, it has aluminum cantilever and loking with my microscope it came glued and I still own the 3000MK2 model that was in the market after the 2000 and comes too with aluminum cantilever and the stylus is glued. Next is the only picture that I can get from the net but I think we can't be sure if its press fitted or glued:
Due to the other Ortofon cartridges samples I have on hand seems to me a little weird that the 2000 was not glued.
@kennyc the PS audio is at high end market niche almost inexpensive unit that's a true challenge to other SS very top units with a price tag over 50K ( this was what reported M.Fremer. ). In the other side and with all respect to him I think that not only you but no audiophile can take really seriously a gentleman like @lalitk that ( as he said/posted ) had not direct experience with SUT and who told you: " I would encourage you to try SUT. " @lalitk this truly creates " confussion " and not the facts I posted and that you said creates " that ".
R.
R. |
Just for one, not particularly expensive example, I believe the MC dude of their phono stages are active gain designs. Interestingly though, they just announce a new, separate SUT - the Argentum. Haven’t seen any reviews yet, but very interesting - silver wound but not crazy expensive. They are a very interesting company, handled by a bunch of dealers I think highly of. |
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