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SUT With a Manley Steelhead RC?

I own a Manley Steelhead RC and am using as my main cartridge a My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum.  MSL makes their own SUT that I have been thinking about purchasing, but I'm wondering if it's necessary with the Manley.  I find the Steelhead to be the best sounding phono preamp I've ever owned, but I'm always wondering about ways to make it even better.

I sent a message to Bob at Bob's Devices, but his reply to me was ambiguous.  He made it sound at first as if there would be little sonic benefit, and also seemed to say that his SUT would be superior to the one inside the Steelhead.  I tried to ask more questions but he went radio silent after that, and if I try to call their phone number I can't seem to talk to anyone.  This is not a complaint about their company, BTW.  I've heard nothing but good things about his products.

Any useful advice is appreciated!

128x128snackeyp

Showing 6 responses by rsf507

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

I've had the pleasure of hearing the MSL Gold into the MSL SUT just sublime whether it was a perfect match wouldn't know made me forget anything else.

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

Good question don't recall will ask and get back to let you know.

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

Matching a cartridge to an SUT is a black art for me I would reply on other opinions. With that being said I'd also be one to go with a manufacturer of a particular cartridge say Koetsu and then buy a Koetsu SUT. Or if using an Audio Note Japan cartridge then I'd opt for their own SUT. Same with MSL. Would it not be safe to assume these manufacturers know what works best with their own products?

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

I just can’t think that with the MSL Signature Platinum cartridge one of the top performing cartridges would be their own MSL SUT. Many others should work but how can a company that makes some of the world’s best cartridges not design a great matching SUT.

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

We also have Koetsu cartridges and their own SUTs. Also Audio Note Japan and their IO-m cartridge and their own SFz SUT. There are other cartridge manufacturers that make or have made SUTs for their own brand. 

rsf507
2,227 posts
 

A quick search on the net resulted in this. "Sugano Jr. resumed the production of the acclaimed Koetsu step-up transformer due to repeated requests from customers. If you hear it matched with the Koetsu range of cartridges, it is easy to understand why there was so much demand for this hand-made supremely crafted transformer".

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