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To "Step up", or not?

I have a general question(s) about the use of step up transformers; Am I better off buying a cartridge that may be higher output and that matches my current phono stage, or buying a lower output cartridge and introducing a step up transformer into the system? Are lower output cartridges generally speaking, better than higher output? For example, I have read in this forum, and others, about the Denon DL103R, and Shelter 501. I would purchase one of these in the future. However, my phono stage only has a gain of 53db, which is not enough for these cartridges. To include one of these fine cartridges in my system, I would need a step up transformer. I am wondering if I would get better sound with a medium output cartridge and not have the step up.
1musiclover
ultrakaz
187 posts
 
I was in a similar position and opted for the higher output moving coil. Even though, I had read a lot about step-ups (Stevens & Billington diy or Audio Note) most of the good ones were more than I had budgeted for the cartridge, which was about $500. The cheaper step-ups that I heard were a tad noisy with tonal colorations that weren't to my liking. However, if I were to go "all out" I would go the step-up route with the Helikon or Shelter 901. The low output mcs that I have heard do sound better, but you have to justify the extra expense of optimizing them. Oh, also, I would have to upgrade my Linn Lp12 and arm to accomodate (Shelter might be low compliance) and/or optimize the better cartridge.
1musiclover OP
58 posts
 
Ultrakaz,

Would it be worth it, IYO, to purchase a new phono preamp that has enough gain to begin with to get the benefits of the LO MCs?
twl
3,251 posts
 
As Ultrakaz stated above, it depends upon just what level of performance you are after, and how much you are willing to spend to get it. The lower ouput cartridges generally are better, and also require more gain. You can do it with a higher gain phono section, or get a step up transformer. Either way will require some investment, as well as the additional cost for the cartridges under consideration. This is a very important area of the analog playback system, and should receive close attention if you are to get the best results.

Getting a preamp with enough gain in the phono stage to handle the low output cartridges may be similar or even cheaper than getting a step up transformer, depending on what model you choose. However, many tube phono sections are too low gain for these cartridges, and would require a step up anyway. Most high gain phono sections are solid state, or hybrid. I feel you would be sonically better off to use a tube phono stage for many reasons, particularly the overload margins. There are some all tube phono sections that have enough gain, but they can be expensive. Again, we come down to the budget.
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