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SUT Advice - Which Ones Are The Best?

I am currently in research mode.  I want to add a SUT to my set-up but I am finding that there is not a lot of information from my local audio shop resources.  It seems that SUTs are outliers in the high end audio world.  
That said, I have read several articles in magazines and the web touting their merits.
Of all the brands out there I am most familiar with Bob's Devices.  Art Dudley wrote many good things about his experiences with Bob's SUTs, and I happen to trust Art (God rest his soul), but I'm wondering if there are others I should consider as well.  Please post your recommendations if you have experience with any SUTs, regardless of brand.
As for my set-up, I have a SME 20/2 turntable, Tri-Planer tone arm, Lyra Kleos cartridge, and KTE LCR Mk5 Phono preamp.  I do not know if I will always use a Kleos cartridge but I do think I will always buy low output MC carts.  I hope to buy something that will work with low output MCs but have some adjustability just in case.
I'd love to hear your recommendations.
Thanks!
Peter
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Showing 5 responses by three_easy_payments

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
For adjustability the Zesto Andros Allasso is among the most versatile, but you pay over $2,500 for that adjustability of gain and loadings. I have this SUT in my main system and it’s a nice unit.

For my second system I bought a used Rothwell MCX for $270 to pair with a Hana SL (0.5mv) and it's truly a great pairing it is. The Rothwell uses a Lundahl transformer and provides 20dB gain which is perfect for me. There are so many carts on the market (including Kleos) that are about 0.5mv and like ~400ohm loading that I sometimes wonder if I purchased too much flexibility with the Zesto.

Of the Bob’s Device I think the SKY20 is the one I’d get with it’s 1:10 and 1:20 configuration which would fit most of my foreseeable needs.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@itsjustme   Excellent points!
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I think in a perfect world @rauliruegas is correct...the goal is to simplify the signal path and not add a SUT if at all possible. The problem is that unless you're using a top-tier SUT there is a good chance that a quality SUT combined with the MM-stage may outperform the onboard MC stage.  I have seen this in many of my phono stages but I've never owned a truly high-end phono.  A/B comparisons in my gear history shows improvements to SQ when using a SUT.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@sokogear

If the phono stage has gain settings up to 60 or 65DB in addition to impedence selections for cartridge flexibility, why do you need an SUT? It would seem logical that more connectors introduce more distortion.

@billwojo summed it up nicely. The reason you "might" want a SUT is because it may sound better. Passive SUT vs active gain stages in order to get to the 60-65dB gain. Transformers have much more benign distortion characteristics than active circuits and are capable of producing a wonderful soundstage with detail and separation compared to transistor and op-amp alternatives. The main issue really is cost - transformers are incredibly expensive compared to transistors and chips. A complete MC phonostage is obviously more convenient than a separate transformer and MM phonostage. The MC phonostage made entirely with solid-state circuitry is way cheaper to produce than one with transformers.

In every case I have heard I prefer the SUT....but that’s just me, my gear, and my ears. To each his own preference.

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@no_regrets 

Couldn't agree more with this!

I do not understand how anyone would be able to categorically deny the worthiness of a component that they may have never even heard in their own system, simply because of a certain capacitor, wire, passive/active device, etc... that is being employed. I’ve always believed that the worthiness of a component is a combination of the entire circuit design and the sum of all the parts working together seamlessly vs just one sole aspect of the component in question... not to mention the importance of system synergy.

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