Step-up Transformer, what's lost?

Sidssp: currently I am using a Dynavector 17D-II and a Herron Audio phono pre. I have tried the Coph Nia and Rega Fono.

Blptwp: I like the Dynavector very much (I have never heard any cartridge with the detail it translates) and would rather not change cart's. However, I am afraid that if I add a step-up, I'll get the volume I want but will lose the detail. What to do - What to do?

Odd, i have a Dynavector xx-2 (same output as the 17d) and the herron, an I have no problem at all with volume. the herrom has 65 of gain, which is right for the .23 output. I feed the herron into a Kora Eclipse pre, andplay one of the new rega p9 turntables. The volume at relaxed listening is around 9 o'clock, froma starting point of 6 o'clock. I have cranked it to 11 or 12, and do not hear any backgound noise until 3 or so (not playing any music). does your pre use balanced interconnects to you amp(s), and is you turntable isolated?

Herron phono amp has two versions one for MM and one for MC. The MC version has about 66db gain that should be enough for the Dynavector unless your preamp is very low gain also. Are you using the MC version?

Okay, look, we have 2 situations here. Standard MM input with a gain level for about 4mv cartridges, and some type of MC input with higher gain for a low-output MC cart. There is no free ride. Either you have a step up transformer into the MM stage, or you have extra gain stages in the MC section. Pick your poison. The additional gain stages in the MC section are at least as objectionable to signal quality as a step up transformer. Personally I use a step up transformer because I think it is less problematic than additional gain stages. Others think differently. If you have a decent step up transformer, or a decent MC stage, you should not be corrupting the signal in a real bad way. My Cotter transformer passes a nice clean step up, that sounds real good to me into my MM stage.

And you can't get around the issue with a MM cart or a high output MC, because they have heavier moving structures than a low output MC and so you have a very likely possiblility of losing something there.

If you are looking for what the "experts" say, Kondo, the total "audio guru" who makes some of the most musical gear in the world, specifies only a transformer is to be used to step up his top of the line cartridge. A step up transformer does not have such a limitation like an amplifier output transformer, because very low level signals are being used and saturation is really not an issue. And if you don't use a step up transformer, and your MC stage has insufficient gain, then you raise the noise floor by turning up the volume, and obscure low-level detail that way. You have to use one method or the other to use a low-output MC. You have to choose one. I chose a good quality step up transformer, and I am happy with it. I would dare say that if you heard my system playing, you wouldn't be talking about any lost detail.

a good step-up costs pretty-much the same as a good phono $1k or higher. there could be a-bunch of different contraversal issues in this case since high-gain mc sections tend to have more than one amplification stages and/or a step-up transformer as well. also all-tube phono preamps either very costly or have not enough gain to handle super-low output cartridges.
cary audio came up with inexpencive solution and i'm sure that there are more brands that have electronic approach for a step-up that for the money is more efficient than step-up transformer.
in general for this issue i tend to partially agree with Blptwp for the MC cartridges not higher than 2mV on the output used with phono-sections 50...55dB since the coil length does affect pretty-much as amplification stages or step-up transformers.
for herron phono preamp you can use as low as 0.5mV output cartridges and mainly you need to step-up another just 6...8dB. if you go for step-up passive device you should probably research Quicksilver or EAR step-up transformers that will minimize any losses and boost the volume. Also less expencive Ortofon T1000 can just do that job. In high quality transformers you can select the gain or even use the unity gain just to match impedance with no headache. If minimal gain is used on the high quality step-up device you should hear no difference in terms of details.