Transfiguration Orpheus, what step-up


Hello everyone !

I have previously owned a Transfiguration Phoenix, that I have now traded in for a Transfiguration Orpheus, and I am almost embarrassed to say that I think that the Orpheus perfomred better than the Orpheus in my setup. While changing the PU, I also changed from Scoutmaster to Super Scoutmaster with SDS. The sound is definately more airy but I think that the P´hoenix was more dynamic and was mmore alive, and this makes me think that maybe the step-up I have is not the right one for this PU, I have the SoundTraditionLive! MC-10 MC Step-Up Unit with Switches for Low and High Cartridge Impedance . Mounting Hashimoto HM3 MC Step-up Transformers that accommodate MC cartridges whose internal impedance is between 2 and 7 Ohms.

The Orpheus has an internal impedance of 2,5 Ohms.

Any suggestions to an explanation to my findings. It could of course just be the design, but I would really welcome any suggestions.

Kind regards

Jesper
scubadooo
The Orpheus has enough output that you shouldn't need a stepup device with it. Transformers will obscure detail and impact from the cartridge; if you can't get it to work with your phono preamp, I would consider a preamp with more gain as the improvement over the use of transformers is the sort of thing that you hear in 5 seconds flat: its not subtle.
Dear Jesper: I like the Transfiguration cartridges, I owned the Spirit/Temper/temper V-W and heard many times the Orpheus ( but not the Phoenix ).

Its quality performance change depending on the tonearm you match with it and other than the time for broke-inn the Phonolinepreamp is critical to achieve its real quality performance.

IMHO using a step-up transformer ( any ) with the Orpheus ( btw, with any cartridge . ) is like trying to drive a Ferrari in a croos-out-road ( I don't know the right words, maybe non-pave? ), if you want that your Ferrari performs at its best you have to drive that car in the right " road ".

What you are hearing now is not your Orpheus ( at least is only a very poor " shadow " of the quality performance of the Orpheus. ) but the heavy SUT degraded signal and this is a little un-fair for your Orpheus investment.

I agree with Atmasphere, you will be very satisfied when you match that Orpheus with an active high gain Phonolinepreamp ( no SUT external or internal ), the quality differences are so great that you could not believe it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Scubadooo, I recently moved from a Phoenix to Orpheus. At first listening O did not reveal its real virtues so a well used Phoenix seemed more consistent but even at first minute, O was more dynamic and airy. Now after 30-40 hours, I can say O is performing better. I am very pleased with it and as other have said I am sure it will be better after another 40-50 hours.

I guess SU unit must be the case for you.
Sirspeedy,

Welcome back. What tonearm are you using now (or will be using) with your Orpheus?

Andrew
Dear Aoliviero: A little late " comeback " don't you think?, the Sirspeedy post comes from June.

Btw, welcome to you: again.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.