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STEP UP transformers ??

Having followed this forum for many years I value HIGHLY, the views,opinions,and experience of all who contribute regardless of how small a contribution.

My question regards stepup transformers in particular the Auditorium 23 and the BENT MU. Currently my front end consists of a VPI HW-19 Mk4,OL silver,Denon 103 in a panzerholz body.all running into a Audible Illusions M3a. I've sort of narrowed my choices down to these two SUT's.In fact I already spoke to the Aud 23 distributor in my area, what led me to this dead end is the price. For the price of an Aud 23 I could get the Bent MU, which from what I understand is entirely more flexible(variable loading,captured IC's etc) while the Aud 23 is very good it is made expressly for the DL one-oh-three, and maybe the Ortofon SPU.
I'm sure some say it's a no brainer get the 23 but I don't plan to stay with the Denon forever. I want to make this my last SUT purchase (maybe next to last) as my phonostage may need to get addressed within the next year.
So has anyone had an opportunity to cross reference these 2 excellent SUT's? Also I've heard Audio Note has an excellent pair of SUT's.
Any help would be advised.I know I am leaving out quite a bit of details but that's the long and short of it.
Thanks in advance for you Help
braab
braab8
palasr
525 posts
 
I have a pair of the original copper Bent/S&B TX-103s which I had used prior to getting my K&K phono stage from Kevin. The K&K uses the new Lundahl LL1931 SUT, and can be wired for 1:8 or 1:12, kind of "in between" the standard 1:10. The Bent can be wired for 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20. Running direct into the K&K's MC input vs. into the MM input with the Bent's in line is quite illuminating. I'd say the Bent's sound excellent, perhaps just a bit of mid-bass bloom, and just a bit veiled on the top-end, but this may be the byproduct of having another set of connectors in the chain (which has an easily audible impact). The Lundahls in the K&K are a bit more immediate sounding, and have a real sense of cohesiveness throughout the entire frequency range, with a bigger sound than the Bent SUTs. I have to go back and look again, but I think Kevin loads the primary on the Lundahl, where on the Bent the secondary is loaded. Two very different ways to approach the probelm, and one that I'd like to listen more closely to. Good listening.

-Richard
vinyljh
46 posts
 
Let me try and clarify some misunderstandings- The Auditorium 23 model 103 step up transformer was voiced around the Denon 103. Every transformer must be voiced around something. This does not mean it can't be used with anything else. Universal doesn't exist. We've used the Auditorium 23 103 transformer very successfully with many cartridges like EMT, Shelter, Benz, Lyra, Magic Diamond, Dynavector and many others.

Regards,
Jonathan
franks
151 posts
 
AI has an excellent high gain moving coil "gold" phono board for the M3a that goes for around $500. It's a SS board that is added to the existing phono stage. It's very nice sounding and was designed by John Curl. I believe it raises the total phono gain to 60 db, more than enough for the denon.
jackpot
2 posts
 
I Have a Auditorium 23 with a dl 103 ebony body and it is fantastic.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,753 posts
 
If you plan to upgrade the phono preamp any time soon, I would hold off on the transformers until you have that preamp in hand. The Denon is not so low that you can't run it straight in with many preamps, and if you can do so it will be more transparent, with greater impact and bandwidth.

If you keep your phono section, then it sounds like you may need a transformer. I will second the Jensen transformer vote; they are some of the most neutral we have seen.
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