SUT help

I have a Modwright with the XT upgrades and use a Hashimoto HM-7.

I haven't checked it against the MC side since I did the upgrades but before it seemed to expand the soundstage some.  I think you mostly use a SUT to bypass an active gain stage.

The Lundahls in the Modwright are on the inexpensive side and Dan told me he chose them mainly for low gain since the PH9.0 already has tons of it.

Honestly I run the Hashimoto (1:15, PH9 at -6) mainly because I've always used them, back to my Darlington Labs days.  I'm betting there are tons of happy non SUT Ph9.0XT users out there!   I think if there's any difference it's small and nuanced would depend on the rest of your system and the cart.

I do like the extra gain sometimes as I do have some low, low MC carts. I don't run a pre and go  straight into my amp (2A3 set).

If there is any improvement, again I think it would be small and it depends on you whether or not it's worth it.

@mmcgill829 

I got my Hashimotos on eBay from a Japanese seller.  I believe I paid around $1300.  He lists it for more but make an offer and he will discount it.  Made to order so it takes about a month.

I"ll try and do a A/B with/without tonight and let you know.

There are a lot of other SUTs I would consider.  I would try and stay around 1:10-1:15 because of the gain in the Modwright.  Maybe Ned Clayton (ebay) Cinemag 1254s.  I had those for a while and they were fine.  Half the cost of the Hashimoto.  I would have to consider what is better than the Lundahls?

Here's the interior of mine.  

He uses the same chassis for all the Hashimoto transformers.

You can look at the HM-X also.  Same gain but a little less cost.

Someone else ordered from this person without the switching so it can be custom wired.

Bobs is good too. Proprietary Cinemags.

Heard good things about Finemet also.

There's a Bob's Sky10 on USAM right now.

1:10 is probably all you need.

I gotta say, I listened first through the MC side and then through the Hashimotos and I don't hear much difference.  Of course there is the gain.

Not listening for anything in particular, just seeing if anything sticks out.  Both ways throw sound out pretty far to the sides and my speakers are kinda close together.

I think at this level you are pretty maxed out.

I would probably spend the money on a cart before a SUT (of course I already got one).

I just got a used a Koetsu Black and it's a wow.  Get the Umami!