Look at it this way, you have a svelte SUT, lol!
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!
Showing 32 responses by mdalton
love the Etsuro combo, though have not heard either. SUTs hard to hear at dealers for obvious reasons. But regarding other SUTs that I myself am contemplating replacing my Rothwell with (Cartridge is Urushi Tsugaru) are: -Koetsu (of course) -Consolidated Audio -Treehaus -Antiphon -Swissonor (Hashimoto HM-7) -Auditorium 23 Homage T1 -Airtight Hope that helps. Pictures please (of Garrard)
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You have inspired me to finally pull the trigger on a new SUT for my Koetsu - have been Hamlet-ing the decision for almost a year and a half now. So thank you. I went with the Swissonor, will report back. Re SUT vs. active stage, I had a great discussion (email) with Andrew Rothwell before I bought one of his units several years ago. Here’s a portion of his thoughts: “Hi Steve. Yes, noise is indeed a potential problem with headamps - but noise is a potential problem with any audio electronics. Actually, there are various types of noise and various ways it can infest an audio signal. The type of noise most likely to plague a headamp is Johnson noise, aka thermal noise, which is a hissing sound. With a step-up transformer you're unlikely to have any hiss problems, but you're more likely to have hum problems. Anyway, without getting too deep into the topic of noise, let me assure you the Headspace has very low noise - way below vinyl surface noise. I leave the choice between headamp and SUT to the customer, but with your system being valve-based the transformer option seems more fitting - no transistors :-). Btw, no the battery doesn't address the issue of Johnson noise at all. It addresses the issue of mains-borne noise and potential ground loops. Regards. Andrew” |
Happy to share whatever modicum of knowledge I have. Regarding adjectives, don’t you think life would be dull without them? “My wife is so beautiful.” “This scotch has just the right amount of peatiness and smoke.” “That sunset has a gorgeous combination of orange, purple and pink.” ”Life is good.” lol! Will definitely report back on the new Swissonor! |
btw, for bang for the buck mc, I don’t think I’ve seen a single review that wasn’t a rave for the Hana Umami Red. Kat Ourlian, who was at Upscale but now reps SME in London, called me when she heard I was ordering a Koetsu. As I recall, she seemed to be gently pushing me towards the Red, I think in part because my suspicion is their experience working with Koetsu was not perfect. But she’s been a huge proponent of the Red from the day it came out. One other random thought while I’m rattling on, I met the UK rep of Gold Note in an Austin record store, and he was really high on their cartridges (i know. surprise!). But since then, that’s another brand that seems to punch way above their $ weight. (Btw, I have some experience with the brand - both their DS10 dac and PH1 phono stage are in one of my systems, and they’re superb). What Gold Note and Hana have in common is that before their brands were started, they were OEM producers for other brands. So that’s why I think they tend to be lower-priced than some of the competition - they’ve cut the middle step out of the supply chain. |
Cartridge decisions are tough (for me). For my vintage system, I knew i wanted an SPU, so that was fairly easy. For big rig, I initially just bought a Hana EH from my turntable guy (for $475 I think) as a bridge. I subsequently chose Koetsu partly because of the magic and history associated with the brand. But what sealed it for me was when I learned that Sugano-San had voiced his original Koetsu designs on his own modified Garrard 401. So the cartridge picked me! |
Hmmm, what do you think it should run? Intuitively it doesn't seem out of line to me. I’d guess at $3k it’s probably about 2x cost of parts (includes attached interconnect to eliminate one set of RCA connectors). Compare that to EMIA, which is $3400, or Audio Note which is $4k. I don’t know what transformers they use so hard to compare directly. Definitely more than most that use Cinemag or Lundahl, but that’s not really surprising is it? |
absolutely no offense taken my friend. Hashimoto has a pretty legendary reputation (like Koetsu), and I’ve read over the years lots of comments from Koetsu owners re the magic of the combo (like @mulveling for example). I also have corresponded with Constantin at Atelier 13, from whom I purchased. He’s a big fan - check out his website, he carries very cool stuff. Oh, and the HM-7 is their top of the line, above the 3 and X. |
interesting. I’ve only heard Cessaros once, at Capital Audio Fest last year. Was Wagner II with a TW Acustic system put together by Jeffrey Catlalano of High Water Sound (NYC). Sublime. Have never heard Hornings, but they are intriguing. Heard WVLs at same show - Chicagos or Sons, don’t remember - but was surprised how much I liked them. Another speaker that surprised me at same show, and am guessing you’d like, are Rethms; not that expensive, but really easy to listen to. |
am on road for couple days so only got one lp side in. Way more dynamic, without losing koetsu magic. So very good initial impression. However, have a noise issue (hum at high volume no music). pretty sure it came at 1:30 ratio, 29 db gain, which is too much. Think In gonna have to pop it open and change setting to 1:15 ratio, 23 db gain. Waiting to hear from Constantin who reached out to Swissonor to make sure that’s how it was shipped before I open it up. |
Back from my two-day trip. Before doing anything else I tried different ground scheme vs my prior SUT. Added ground between phono stage and SUT (in addition to tonearm and SUT). Hum pretty much gone! (consistent with @mulveling prediction). Sound is remarkable - intuition that Rothwell wasn’t fully showcasing the Koetsu was correct (duh, I know). Consistent with my first impression, way more dynamic, but still lush, which is cool combo. Still in conversation with dealer whether I should change setting to lower ratio - seems like manufacturer is not convinced that’s the right move. Will see…. |
Just for one, not particularly expensive example, I believe the MC dude of their phono stages are active gain designs. Interestingly though, they just announce a new, separate SUT - the Argentum. Haven’t seen any reviews yet, but very interesting - silver wound but not crazy expensive. They are a very interesting company, handled by a bunch of dealers I think highly of. |
haven’t heard the brand yet myself, but they’re on my list if/when I ever replace the synthesis ensemble in my big rig. recently spent time with a dealer in NC - Ember Audio - who believes their stuff competes with any other tube gear up to $10k, so potentially a great value. And yes, their aesthetic is perfect for my sunroom! |
had a great 3 hour listening session with a good friend/neighbor who knows my system well from jazz/scotch nights over the last 10+ years. His first experience with my new SUT: after 10 seconds he turned to me and said “wow”. Our analysis: everything just seems more palpable, physical. Much bigger difference moving from old to new SUT than when I went from Hana EH (directly into phono pre) to Koetsu and old SUT. |