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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 dogberry

dogberry
793 posts
 

A short signal path is, of course, a desirable thing. But let us not lose sight of the alternative here: a complex signal path full of components in a head amp or in the MC amplification stage of the pre-amp. Compared to that, an extra pair of interconnects and a pair of transformers are relatively simple and straightforward.

My phono stage isn't as grand as many, but there is no question in my mind that using its MM input with an SUT is better than using its MC input.

dogberry
793 posts
 

...several of us in reality can't appreciate the real MUSIC and almost all go for what they like no matter what...

You know, if you follow that argument to it's conclusion you can see we should all listen to our music through equipment that we do not like. I am familiar enough with live music, especially opera, that I know what I experience at home is going to be somewhat different to the real thing. And if it isn't going to be the same, at least it should be pleasing to me. I'm not going to apologise for taking that stance: I listen for pleasure and I'll maximise that pleasure if I can.

dogberry
793 posts
 

Look after yourself, pindac. Hope all your treatment is successful.

dogberry
793 posts
 

I fail to see how the usual use of Audio Equipment is able to be suggested to be anything else but a method to be entertained.

Music is more than entertainment for some of us: it is nutritious, sustaining our spirit just as food sustains the body.

By the way, congratulations on your quick recovery! (Maybe it's the music.....)

dogberry
793 posts
 

All the same, well done! I am not in the least into woo-woo medical stuff, but if musical encounters make you walk further, go for it.

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