Arm and MC transformer to match ZYX Air3 cartridge

Stltrains, I think Dan put it best:

"Even the very best of transformers cannot faithfully induce the entire signal from the input coil to the output coil."

A step-up xfmr is not just a "coil of wire". It is an inductor with an iron core which produces a sort of magnetic inertia. They also tend to alter the cartridge's frequency response curve. Rauliruegas probably has given the best arguments against step ups. . . . and he owns dozens of cartridges ;--) Check his threads.

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Ah, but it is not just a coil of wire. It is 2 coils that don't touch. The current in the input coil induces a current on the second coil. The ratio of the windings on coil 1 to coil 2 determine how much of a "step-up" the signal sees across the transformer.

But herein lies the issue. The signal from the cartridge is very small with minute chages and harmonics. It is not possible for all of those tiny signal components to be induced on the second coil. So you end up with a kind of filtering effect. I'm sure it is quiet, but it also lacks some of the original signal coming from the cartridge.

Transformers are a great, cost effective way to step up the low level signals. But an IC circuit is much, much better.

Back to clear up one thing. The entire MC stage in my Alaap is SS using a FET-based circuit. (Nick made me write this 100 times!)

thanks guys for your info it is dully noted, we learn something new everyday, and you will not inform anyone more than me on improving my sound to my ears, will be looking into a better ss phono preamp than the ps gcph was to my ears, hey dan sometimes writing something over really makes it set in, have a good one and thanks mike

Thanks for all the inputs. Since I've already got the AN MM phono stage. I'll try to add a step up transformer at this stage. I'll cpmpare the phono stage set up with the Chord and Ayre phono amps later on.
I'm trying to get the Airy 3x-SB 0.24mv version. Would like to know does the Graham 2.2 arm a good match with the Airy3 ?