ikeda mc-transformer

Dear Eduard: I own Ikeda cartridge, not stepup transformer.But I can tell you that " the best stepup transformer is NO stepup transformer ". Change your preamp for a high gain preamp ( with built phono stage ) or change your phonocartridge. If you buy this mc-transformer you have to use adittional cables and conector ( and the transformer ) that always degrade the critical signal that comes from your phono cartridge.
Regards.
Raul.

This is for John Tracy: I´m living in this planet. Maybe you don´t know wich is the difference between an outboard stepup transformer and a built-in phono stage. First, you can use the outboard stepup transformer only
if your preamp has a builtin phonostage ( RIIA equalization ). Can you understand this ? If you do, then you can see that if you use another stage ( step up transformer, conectors and extra-cables ), you really degraded the signal: this signal has to pass over many meters of wire inside the transformer, has to go trought additional RCA/XLR conectors and interconect cables. When you already have the built-in phono stage your signal goes more direct. This is not a complex science is only comun sense.
Best regards.
Raul.

Dear Eduard: I forgot. The owner of Ikeda Labs is the former of Fidelity Research. A great companyRegards.
Raul.

To vinyldoes. Dear friend: We are talking of two different issues. You are talking about: that you likes more the colored sound of a step up transformer ( noise, distortion, phase shift, contamination, additional conecctors/cables, etc ) and if this is the way in what your " open ears " likes this is up to you.
I'm talking about the best quality sound reproduction of the music. Any additional stage in the signal chain reproduction ( it does not matter the quality of that stage ) degraded the quality reproduction of this signal. Period.
By the way, my " closed ears " has an experience of more than 40 years with live music.
Regards.
Raul.

Dear Dougdeacon: I agree with you: there-are-no one way streets on audio and that a high gain phono stage has its own problems.
The issue here is ( for me ): wich way do less harm to the signal reproduction. If you have a preamp with a high gain built in phono stage that has a good design an a good execution of that design ( You named: Boulder. Yes, a very high price. ) this preamp do less harm that a preamp with a stepup transformer.
Now, the only way to hear an understand these issues is trying it. I already try, for several years, with step up transformers, head amps and outboard phono stages and I could find that the best quality audio reproduction from a low output moving coil is a preamp with a built in high gain phono stage.
This is my experience and that is what I want to shear with you all music lover people, no more than that.
Best regards.
raul.

Dear John: Please read my answer to Mr.Dougdeacon.
Raul.

Dear Eduard/Doug: Maybe the problem is in that both of you use tube electronics and in this way you have to use the step up transformer with a low output moving coil cartridge.
Tube electronics, per se, is another issue, but that is another history.
Best regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Eduard: As I told you I test severals step up transformers in the past. One of them was: Fidelity Research XF-2L ( an expensive unit ), this one was a first rate product between the differents step up transformers that I own in the time. Now, Mr. Ikeda was the designer on both step up transformer, what can I say: Ikeda transformer is a first rate unit.
Sorry I can't help you. The mark Ikeda is unknowed in America. Maybe if you try in a forum or e-bay in: Japan, Hongkong or other country in Asia, you can have the information,because in those countries the Ikeda is very well know.
Best wishes.
Raul.

Dear Doug: To list my system is not an ease task, because it need and explication at each chain stage. So I need some time to do this. I will do as soon is posible.
Regards.
Raul.