MC phono stage without transformer?

...the more complexity, the less bandwidth and the less transparency

Words of wisdom!

Rauliruegas...The Signet transformer I once used was spec'd (to the best of my memory) flat from 5Hz to 100,000 Hz. I always wondered how they did this, but I certainly heard no bandwidth limitation.

Because the signal is so tiny saturation is not an issue. I don't know for sure, but I think that these transformers have no magnetic core. Hysterisis and nonlinearity would not occur with an air core.

I used several MC preamps without a transformer, but I never heard any sonic improvement. A disappointment.

I used several MC preamps without a transformer, but I never heard any sonic improvement. A disappointment.

Surely you aren't saying "heard some so heard them all"?
( And I didn't call you shirley! ;-) )

I've heard/owned a few with xformer and tube MC stages. None approach my current active (JFET) MC stage Alaap. Not even close!

Dear Eldartford: I owned Audio technica AT 1000T ( similar to the Signet. ) that had that spec but ( like the Signet ) with out any reference about deviation from flat, that btw it is almost imposible to been flat.

+++++ " I used several MC preamps without a transformer, but I never heard any sonic improvement. " +++++

There are some things why you or any one can't hear differences or improvements and even bad experiences about: one is that the own system colorations preclude to hear it, other could be that what you heard was not a good MC phonolinepreamp design, other could be a non-synergy system audio items, bad set-up, etc, etc.

I hope that in a near future you can have the opportunity to experience the right active high gain Phonolinepreamp, in the mid time you and me will enjoy what we have.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Rauliruegas...My experience suggests that, at an "affordable" price point a step-up transformer makes sense. It permitted me to try out a MC cartridge without the expense of a new preamp, and the MC cartridge did make a significant sonic improvement to my system at the time.

I accept your view that a cost-no-object MC preamp is the best. But not for me, or for most other audiophiles.