Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?

@lalitk 

a little more time with the new SUT today.  not just more dynamic - more of everything.  I was missing out on a lot of Koetsu magic previously.  Very cool. Looking forward to hearing about your experience. 

Steve Gutenberg recently reviewed a new Zesto Tube Phone Preamp, but he intentionally chose the MM one not the more expensive MM/MC one, but instead used, you guessed it, SUTs with it. 
 

The more expensive Zesto phonos use a SUT internally with the internal MM phono section. They use Jensen transformers.

The likely reason he chose the MM only phono is so that he can use his own choice of SUT. 

@mdalton

Thank you for your sharing your experience. Did you end up lowering ratio or found factory setting to be more acceptable?

I am hoping to find a perfect setting for Bordeaux / Fuuga with Allnic H-6500 before I purchase Etsuro or Sculpture SUT’s. The EMIA/Fuuga pairing should be a good indicator if H-6500 is not quite all there. I have high expectations for H-6500….it all unfolds on Labor Day weekend.

On another note, I am going straight from 301 motor to power conditioner (bypassing the IEC). My dealer bought a very high quality Lithe Copper Power cable. I am going to terminate this cable with Furutech FI-28 (G) plug.

Steve Gutenberg is a mid Fi guy which is a good thing. He reviews equipment that most of us can buy. He prefers a more romantic, bloomy sound. The Zesto phono stage is a great example using four 12AX7s. I understand the leaning towards SUTs and I have heard some great systems utilizing SUTs. I also prefer simpler gear with fewer switches and connections. My favorite phono stage for two decades was the AR PH3-SE with RAM ultra low noise 6922s. It was killer with MM cartridges but did not have enough gain for most MC cartridges. I tried it with SUTs but always preferred the sound with high output cartridges. I have to point out that it is highly likely that a cartridge like the Soundsmith Voice will outperform a MC/SUT combination. It will be more dynamic and have a vastly superior signal to noise ratio. The situation does not tilt towards high gain phono stages and MC cartridges until you are spending in the vicinity upwards of $15,000 and most of us are not spending that much.

“The situation does not tilt towards high gain phono stages and MC cartridges until you are spending in the vicinity upwards of $15,000 and most of us are not spending that much.”

@mijostyn 

Your point well noted. I am beyond the $15K mark but still below my initial goal of staying under $30K.