Step Up Transformers….Are they Worth the Trouble?


Some of you may aware of my Garrard 301 project, it’s now very close to completion. The plinth finally shipped from Hungry after 3 months of long wait.

Given my last experience with Hana Umami Red, I would like to take things to the next level. Which brings me to mating low output cart with a SUT. Every review I’ve read so far suggests when the SUT-MC match is right, the end result is heavenly. The bass is right, the midrange is clear, and most importantly, the highs are relaxed and extended—not rolled off.

I am not saying you can’t get great sound without a SUT but it appears with a properly matched SUT, sound can be quite magical.

Thought this would be the right time to get input from experienced users here since I am still contemplating my cartridge and outboard phonostage options.

My preference would be to go with a tube phono…I kinda miss tinkering with tubes :-)

My system, Garrard 301 (fully refurbished), Reed 3P tonearm, Accuphase E-650 with built-in AD50 analog board ➡️ Tannoy Canterbury’s.

Cart and phono under consideration through my dealer,

Fuuga - Output : 0.35 mVrms | Impedance : 2.5 Ω (1kHz)

Phonostage - Tron Convergence and Konus Audio Phono Series 1000

The cart - MC combination, I am lusting after is Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux MC with their Etsuro Transformer.
https://www.etsurojapan.com/product/bordeaux

The other transformer is EMIA, cooper or silver version.

Your input is appreciated!

lalitk

Showing 5 responses by cey

@br3098 the point of a good SUT that pairs up well with your MC id it brings out the best of your cartridge. 

  @lalitk if u want the best SQ for your setup it is. if close enough is fine and u like jfets, opamps and switches for versatility youre good. some really good phono amps have SUT on board along with impedance matching. 

cant beat it, @lalitk 

 

 

lalitk's avatar

lalitk 

Appreciate your advise. I keeping an open mind about this and will continue to explore my options in upcoming months. For starters, I am leaning towards a custom SUT’s plus MM tube phono setup. 

interesting, @br3098 . users of both often state this in their preference for SUT. what headamp does such for hana ML?

"a really good head amp had an airiness and delicacy that SUTs can't match. You need to test."

i have a ned clayton cinemag 1254 as well, use it with my hana ML.  hes one of the 3 main SUT guys stateside and the newest. good stuff.