Like I said elsewhere, an outboard PS designed for the Garrard motor will likely reduce noise by running the motor at lower voltages. There are several good options and easy to resell if you’re not happy.
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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@mijostyn, thanks for the response. I've tried the other tube configuration you mentioned. I spoke with Keith Herron and ordered the 12AX7 tubes he recommended. There was more gain but I didn't like the sonic signature as much with them so I put the factory tubes back in. I forget the exact gain 64dB with factory setup? Maybe different 12AX7's would be more to my liking? I tried some vintage Mullard's too but Keith's factory tubes sounded the best to me. |
The Zeus makes 0.3mV at 3.54 cm/sec, or about 0.5mV at 5cm/sec, where most cartridges are rated. “100db” would indicate a voltage gain of 100,000X, or 50V (!!!) at 5 cm/sec. Whoever advised you is not to be trusted as a source for audio advice. 50V would drive some speakers directly, without an amplifier. Your Herron is more than adequate in terms of gain. |
@vuch @lewm is absolutely right. With the 12AX7s gain is 68 dB which is way more than enough. If you do not like the way it sounds you are looking at a different cartridge or phono stage, not a SUT. Tube rolling will drive you insane. My suggestion is not to get started. Like @rauliruegas I am not fond of tube phono stages excepting some AR units and they are hybrids. The color of the tube stages covers up the characteristics of the cartridges. If you do not like what you are hearing it is 90% the phonostage, 10% the cartridge. My personal favorite phono stages are Parasound JC3+ followed by the Channel D Lino C 3.0 and then the more expensive Channel D units. The Lino C 3.0 gets a Stereophile A+ rating. |
- 352 posts total