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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 1 response by psf4972

psf4972
46 posts
 

@lalitk

I concur with comments made that the most direct path, with least material and equipment, can give optimum sound closer to sensation of live music.

One example worked well in my set-up: wiring tonearm cable direct to valve phono board, bypassing RCA plug, socket, and wire, resulted in notably more dynamic sound.

For MC use, there are very satisfied users of Abbas SUT’s, so I just ordered a new valve phono from him with switchable (MM-MC) SUT’s on board ( Abbas Hephaestus RIAA ). It is dual mono design with Mullard Ef37 valves (used in Colossus computer from WW2) and other large Octals. I have one of his EL84 RIAA’s and music sounds highly dynamic, big, and rich, on some LP’s, shockingly real.  (I took out of my system a valve preamp in favour of a TVC for more transparency).  I placed a photo from Abbas of each unit side by side at bottom of my system page.

So I will have flexibility for low output carts (I want to try Mono Miyajima, which sounds wonderful in a friend’s system) with Abbas Hephaestus RIAA, and will soon work out whether I have the same finding as another writer’s comment :

“Best sound of all is my big Grado, which needs no help”.

Similar to Grado, I use Decca MI’s. These cartridges direct into Abbas EL84 RIAA stage sound closest to live music, to my ears, “with no need of help”.

Good luck with your experiment.

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