All that a MC transformer will do, is to boost the gain from the cartridge signal into the phono stage. If your problems are not gain related, this will not help. Sometimes if the signal is not strong enough into the phono stage, it will result in a "flat" sound. Very little life, lacking dynamics and generally shit. I found this to be the case when I put my Shelter 501 direct into my MFA Magus phono stage, in the hopes that I could avoid using my Cotter MC step up transformer. No dice. The sound was flat and lifeless, even with correct loading on the phono stage. There was just not enough gain to make the sound have life. Added the Cotter transformer,properly loaded, and ....awesome!
So, you need to diagnose where your problems are coming from. If there is an inherent problem with your components, then a MC transformer won't fix it. Then you need to change something. If the problem is just insufficient gain in the front end, then the transformer can solve the problem. Also, it will cause the phono circuit to be quieter, because the additional boost from the cartridge will require less gain from the phono stage, and gives lower noise floor.
So, you need to diagnose where your problems are coming from. If there is an inherent problem with your components, then a MC transformer won't fix it. Then you need to change something. If the problem is just insufficient gain in the front end, then the transformer can solve the problem. Also, it will cause the phono circuit to be quieter, because the additional boost from the cartridge will require less gain from the phono stage, and gives lower noise floor.
