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!
LOL! I figured it out by googling the SUT. It’s a very interesting brand. I love the uncluttered design throughout their product lineup. No idea how they sound but interesting nevertheless. Their 300B mono’s is definitely worth the audition if I had the higher efficiency speakers. @lewm ..thanks for the suggestions. |
haven’t heard the brand yet myself, but they’re on my list if/when I ever replace the synthesis ensemble in my big rig. recently spent time with a dealer in NC - Ember Audio - who believes their stuff competes with any other tube gear up to $10k, so potentially a great value. And yes, their aesthetic is perfect for my sunroom! |
@lewm : " , many more.... (Mind has gone blank.) " PS Audio Stellar deserves to be in your list. Btw, really good that you posted Simaudio as and excellent unit.
@lalitk : " offering good head amp/phono stage. My Google search did not show any good results. "
Not show because does not exist. What exist are phono stages with active high gain for MC and MM cartridges. The lewm list named these kind of units.
@mikelavigne posted in this thread about the phono stage active high gain design that he owns: " they are very fine and i do use them and appreciate their low noise and dynamics. " I can add that no passive unit can't even or beats those chjaracteristics and several more.
lalitk: @glennewdick posted : " A good gain stage to me sounds better then a SUT. A good analogy would be an active preamp compared to a passive preamp. Both can be great under the right build quality and situation. But for me the active is more engaging. " and other than me and lew and the ones posted here other two gentlemans have the same kind opinion for active high gain phono stages. R.
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@lewm : What do you think of your 2000 press fitted cantilever: it's and original cartridge or could be that you bougth a retipped sample?
Thank's in advance.
R. |
“their stuff competes with any other tube gear up to $10k, so potentially a great value” I am inclined to agree on value proposition. There are plenty of good offerings coming out of Eastern Europe in last few years. Now if you consider Fezz Audio, they will need to add electric blue to their color palette….lol! My top picks would be Big Calm and EverGreen 😊 |
