step-down transformer


Is there such a thing as a step-down transformer for phono cartridges? I have two MM cartridges, but my preamp has only one MM input and one MC input.

Can I simply connect to a step-up transformer backwards, ie, cartridge output to the normal transformer output and feed the normal transformer input to the preamp?

benwhatley

You could in theory do that, but be mindful of the impedance transformation.  If you used a 1:10 SUT, then you want your MC inputs to have ideally 470 ohms impedance, so that with the SUT hooked up backwards, the MM cartridge sees 47K ohms. I don't know anyone who ever tried it.

With an extra component and an extra pair of interconnects, you might as well just use a switch and have both connected to the MM input. Something like a Rek-O-Kut two way switch would be fine.

 

Theoretically, yes a backwards step-up xformer should do the trick. I've never tried it.