My Zestos offers only 2 load settings that are in the range to suit the Paua (minimum recommended setting of 470 ohms): 400 or 1000 ohms. I have set it at 1000 at the moment but it requires more listening.
I'm new to Step Up Transformers
I've recently become aware of the existence of SUTs (step up transformers). My initial thought was " why do I need an SUT when my phono preamp (Zestos Andros PS-1) has a circuit for Low Output MC cartridges?
But many people seem to think that an SUT plugged into the MM channel of the phono stage will be a massive upgrade. I'd love to hear the opinions of anyone who has experience with SUTs. Thanks!
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- 72 posts total
Hello, I don’t think many people understand your question and what your friend is telling you. I personally own 3 preamps that have excellent phonostages. I own 2 high level, very expensive external phonostages that have MM and MC settings. Both external phonostages have Lundahl transformers to step up the signal for MC cartridges. The point your friend is making, is to try various other Step up Transformers via the MM section of your phonostage. I personally own 7 or 8 SUT’s and have discovered they all have their own unique sound and it takes time to match the perfect SUT with your cartridge. The more options you have, the better the results will be. If you are happy with the built in MC section of your preamp, then enjoy it but if you want to hear things change in sound, just like changing the cartridge affects the sound dramatically, trying different SUT’s can make the sound better or worse as well. I personally am a fan of options. |
A Zobel network is often used to damp a transformer. But if you change the source impedance, the Zobel network won't be correct. If you really want it right so the transformer editorializes least, the only way to really know is the procedure at the link I posted earlier.
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@chipcalzone : The cables from the SUT into the phono stage should be as short as possible to avoid loading down the transformer secondary. This is something that many users of SUT's are unaware of. My Cotter SUT came with fixed output cables of the proper length. |
@lowtubes : I agree! Different SUT's, like different cartridges, have unique sonic attributes. So experimentation is in order! I have five on hand to try, including a Quicksilver. |
- 72 posts total