Step Up Transformer Question

1:10 is way way too low for a 0.2mV cartridge, regardless of your downstream gain. That wouldn't last a second in my system. The Bob's Devices Sky 30/15 would probably be perfect for you. I really like the sound of the Sky's and also the EAR SUTs (at higher cost for the EAR). Not a fan of the Hashimotos or (especially) Lundahls, which lack the "fullness" and flesh I adore about SUTs. I've used a Windfeld Ti with EAR MC-3 (and current MC-4) in fact, and it sounded great - much better than the Lundahl LL1931 in my VAC phono stage. 

I've also had CineMag 1254 (blue) in a phono stage and they are excellent for the money. Sky are better for sure, but I was still impressed by the 1254. The CineMag 3440A (red) sucks - don't even bother there. All the good CineMags have blue labels. 

You will have to experiment with cables, grounding schemes, and SUT location to eliminate hum. Bob (of Bob's Devices) can probably help you out. Try to keep the outbound cable shorter than 1m - 0.5m is best. 

Lundahls and CineMags end up in a LOT of other-brand SUT boxes and phono stages, so always try to figure out what is what. I try to avoid Lundahls and red-label CineMags, but it can't always be helped. The Ortofon Verto for example, uses Lundahls. Lundahls also end up inside lots of tube phono stages, much to my chagrin. They are recognizable by their rectangular case. 

Ralph from Atma-Sphere also mentioned, as did Roger, that a lower ratio will be less prone to noise. I'm waiting on some new cables to come next week to see if I can eliminate some of the hum I'm getting with the Bellari. As you said, might need to try different grounding schemes. I feel like that's a whole other thread, lol

@rmdmoore  I enthusiastically disagree with this part. With a SUT, it's a given that you absolutely have to get the grounding and cable shielding right - whatever the ratio. Once you do, hum noise will disappear and the only noise you should be hearing is a "hisssssss" or "shhhhhh" noise from the active RIAA stage of your phono (the noise part of its signal-to-noise spec). Using a higher ratio SUT allows you to lower preamp volume while attaining the same signal SPL, which pushes this noise DOWN. It's not so much a matter of total gain (yes everyone agrees 70dB is high), as it is about optimizing the *structure* of that gain. The actual signal levels hitting each part of your analog chain up to the preamp volume control - this is what matters!

Of course it's a balancing act - if you push SUT ratio too high you risk loading the cartridge too heavily (which will cause loss of signal), overloading your RIAA stage (bad distortion), and of course the SUT itself will distort more at higher ratios (all else being equal). Higher quality SUTs will distort less at the same ratio. A good rule of thumb, for most MC cartridges (coils wound on iron), is to choose a SUT so that your "calculated" signal coming out of it is ideally 5mV (this is what hits your MM / RIAA stage). But anywhere in the range of 3.5mV - 7.5mV is usually considered good (I listen loud and like to ride on the high side of that, personally). So your 0.2mV Windfeld into a 10X SUT is only 2mV. That sucks, IMO. I can't believe people are recommending that lol. A 20X would give you 4mV and a 30X would be 6mV. I'd choose the 30X there, but either would work great. 

If your 2nd wood cartridge is also 0.2mV that would be great, and the same SUT would likely be optimal for both. But that's also why many SUTs come with 2 or 3 taps. The Sky 30/15 for example, would work great with a 0.2mV cart at 30X and a 0.4mV at 15X.

@rmdmoore

Awesome! That’s great you’re liking the result with new cables and SUT at 30:1. Lowering phono stage gain to compensate could be good when you have the option, but since the cartridge is so low at 0.2mV, it’s probably just fine to run at the higher gain too. If you’re doing tube type swaps for gain, then that itself will impact the sonic result beside just the gain change.

@mulveling Your dislike of Lundahls is interesting. I only have experience with the 1931 Ag, and it sounds pretty good when stepping up my Koetsu.. Not quite as clean or warm as my differential amplifier stage, but close.

Now that I’m using a Grado as my primary stereo cartridge, it’s a moot point

@terry9  They’re fine SUTs. Just not for me, sonically. I’ve tried them countless times, numerous chances, and still never stuck with one. Have LL1931 (copper) built into my VAC phono stage (easily bypassed). Had a K&K box with LL1931Ag (silver). Have LL9206 built into an older full-function VAC preamp - the LL9206 really lacks badly in detail compared to better SUTs, but at least I like its warmer tonality compared to the bigger Lundahls. In the end I still prefer the EAR’s, blue label CineMags, or the Koetsu SUT - though the latter can be a tough fit with non-Koetsu carts because it’s (surprisingly) a little hot up top.

I would still probably take a LL1931 over some/many active MC stages. I did have better results with the copper version in my system.

And I’ve read about your Grado move with much interest! I’ve been wondering if it’s worth "dipping my toe in" at the Mastger3/Reference3/Statement3 level just to get a taste. Or whether I have to go all out to Aeon or Epoch, to be sufficiently impressed.