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 1 response by kennyc

I’ve been circling around this thread because I’m in the same boat.  To reduce noise I got a VDH current phono stage, but I also have Koetsu stone and Ortofon SPU carts which reportedly work well with SUTs.  This would require purchasing budget challenging quality voltage MM stage and likely silver SUTs.

Unsure which SUTs: 

  • Match SPU brands (Ortofon SUT for SPUs, Koetsu SUT for Corralstone). It’s likely copper
  • Zesto Audio Andros Allasso SUT- very versatile, but copper
  • EMIA - custom silver- amongst the very best but pricey

Also, unsure of how much I’d need to spend for a quality “voltage” MM phono stage.