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SUT help

Hello all,

I've combed the forums and pretty much every SUT thread either devolves into arguments of the merits for/against, or gets hyper specific. I'm assuming to properly match a SUT, it needs to be selected based on the cartridge AND phono pre-amp. Since I haven't found a thread about my specific combo...here I am.

I don't know a TON about SUTs, but I'd like to experiment to see if adding one will enhance my experience.

Currently, my cartridge is a Hana ML and my phono pre-amp is the Modwright PH 9.0XT. I may possibly move up to the Hana Umami Red in the nearish future, but the specs are fairly similar between that and the ML.

Hana ML specs: 0.4mv; 7 ohm/1khz
Hana Umami Red specs: 0.4mv; 6 ohm/1khz

Modwright PH 9.0xt - MM input is 52db gain, with option to lower -6 and -12 to 46db and 40db.

I currently use the MC input which offers 64db of gain (-6, -12). I've typically kept it at 64db and alternate between 100ohm and 250ohm for load impedance settings. The 470 is too much.

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Not sure if its possible to have a SUT that would work well with both the ML and umami red, but if so, I'm all ears. If not and they each need specific ones, I'd be considering the ML first and foremost.

Any help is appreciated. I don't really have any clue how to determine what ratio is best and whether copper or silver pair better with these cartridges. I had EM/IA recommended to me in the past, but their pricing is well beyond what I'd like to spend on one (~$1500 or less, ideally?)

mmcgill829

Showing 2 responses by vacountryboy

vacountryboy
16 posts
 

I have been following this thread with much interest as I too wonder if adding a SUT or other pre-phono stage device might improve the "realness" of the sound coming from my Whest 40RDT fed by a Benz Gullwing on a Basis 2000 table with a Rega RB900 arm or coming from an Electrocampaniet ECP 1 with a Hana ML or AT33Mono on a Technics 1200G (and other carts not yet tried). The discussion here has not yet resolved (for me) into a decision either way. Of course, I realize that trial-and-error governed by one’s own ears in one’s own room is usually the most recommended approach on these inspiring and insightful forums.

Nevertheless, not meaning to rattle a hornet’s nest, I was wondering what the much more expert audiophiles here might think of the Audiophiliac’s recent evaluation of three SUT solutions:

vacountryboy
16 posts
 

Thanks for weighing in @pindac and @lewm. What intrigued me about the video was the discussion about SUTs providing different flavors which could be interchanged either by swapping the transformers (in the one case) or changing the loading and impedance in the case of the Andros Allasso. I was intrigued by Guttenberg's suggestions for accommodating different carts and, in the case of the Allasso, making on-the-fly adjustments. What are your thoughts on these two different SUT applications?  

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