Step Up Transformer

[Andrei]

I am considering moving from my current phono stage to something new.  I have the Fosgate Signature which is a valve based MC / MM phono.  It is darn good, but at the time when I bought it my other amplification was all Solid State.  I like to have valves 'somewhere' in the system and hence the Fosgate, but I now have the Ayon Eris linestage that has 6H30 valves.  So this is enough valviness and I am thinking of something solid state for the phono stage.  I like the idea of a Parasound Halo JC3+ but that is on the outer edge of affordability.  I have heard Whest and they are good but again a bit too salty as one goes up the line.  Pass Labs definitely too much.  So I am considering something like the Rothwell Rialto or one of Graham Slee's efforts. 

An SUT feeding a MM or even a MM/MC phono stage appeals to me.  So the question is: What SUT would be a good match for my low output Benz Wood Cartridge?  [SIZE=11pt](http://benzcartridges.com/products/wood-s/ )  [/SIZE]

The specs of the cartridge are

Output Voltage:   (3.54 Cm/sec)0.4 (Low) 0.8 (Medium) 2.5 (High)

Stylus Shape:  Micro Ridge

Internal Ohms:   12Ω (Low) 24Ω (Medium) 90Ω (High)

Loading Range:    >100 (Low) >1000 (Medium) 47kΩ (High)

Weight:    9 grams

Compliance:    15 (Low) 14 (Medium) 14 (High)

TIA

 

[Eddieedwards]

If the sut if a fixed ratio, I'd go 1:10, to present circa 475 ohm to the cart. 

What are you looking to spend? The rothwell headspace is nice and has various options. I'm pretty sure there's one for sale second hand. Ok, it's a headamp, rather than sut, but has gain and loading options if you wanted a play. 

 

[Andrei]

About £1,500 but this has to include a MM or MM/MC phono stage.  I am not allergic to 2nd hand.  I've just seen a Silvercore in the classifieds.  It is the 1:10 model.  Maybe that with a Slee ReflexM??  On this subject does anyone have opinions on the new Slee Accession?  https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/accession-mm-phono-preamp.html

 

[George 47]

The Audionote S2 or a used S3 are options and as they make their own transformers they may be ideal for your needs. They make then with different sensitivities so you should find one to suit your needs.

 

[LebenLenco]

About £1,500 but this has to include a MM or MM/MC phono stage.  I am not allergic to 2nd hand.  I've just seen a Silvercore in the classifieds.  It is the 1:10 model.  Maybe that with a Slee ReflexM??  On this subject does anyone have opinions on the new Slee Accession?  https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/accession-mm-phono-preamp.html

I have a SilverCore 1:10 and it is very good. I compared it to a more expensive SUT from Intact Audio and preferred the SC because it was more balanced sounding. The Intact had a pronounced midrange. I also listened to the Audio Note S2/IO but decided that it was not worth changing. SC is a solid buy and as they are rare to find that secondhand one is worth trying out. 

 

[Spider]

I'm using a Graham Slee Reflex MM stage with a Graham Slee Elevator at the moment and it is very good. worth considering.

There is a Graham Slee Reflex M used on AOS at the moment if you are interested in one.

Go for PSU-1 power supplies if possible they do help.

 

[Lurch]

Have a look at the Benedict Audio Hot-head, they do an MM & an MC version. They are superb, and way way better than their £400 price tag suggests.

 

[Spider]

Have a look at the Benedict Audio Hot-head, they do an MM & an MC version. They are superb, and way way better than their £400 price tag suggests.

+1

Des has one of these for a while it was extremely good for the money. In a Phono Stage bake off at his house only the Rega IOS beat it and it was pretty close. It saw off a Linto, Lehman, Vincent and I think it was a Diablo aswell.

The only down side is there are no adjustments for loading etc but if it suits your cartrdge it would be well worth a try.

 

[Maverick]

I have an EAR839p which is a version that does MC & MM (£545 2nd hand from a dealer) but I use a SUT, specifically a Puresound T10 which is a lovely, lovely thing and was less than £200 2nd hand (has low/high settings).

I have used Graham Slee stages and they are fine, open and detailed - I slightly prefer a valve phono but understand your view that too much valve could be too much of a good thing (I have a big grunty SS power amp which balances well).

If like me you could find a 2nd hand T10 you'd have a lot to spend on a phono stage.

FWIW

 

[myrman]

There is a Living Voice SUT for sale on hifi-forsale

http://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=Living_voice_SUT2&p=phonostage&prod_id=41432&offset=

 

[Jagged24]

I too find I prefer the sound of a valve phono coupled to a powerful SS power amp.

I use the RFC MC1 SUT from Reference Fidelity Components -

http://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/product/rfc-mc1/

- with an Icon PS1.2Sig phono and Bel Canto Evo2 power amp. The RFC SUT audibly outperforms the built-in step-up in the Icon phono stage.

Paul at RFC will adjust the SUT's gain to suit your cartridge.

 

[Andrei]

I too find I prefer the sound of a valve phono coupled to a powerful SS power amp.

I use the RFC MC1 SUT from Reference Fidelity Components -

http://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/product/rfc-mc1/

- with an Icon PS1.2Sig phono and Bel Canto Evo2 power amp. The RFC SUT audibly outperforms the built-in step-up in the Icon phono stage.

Paul at RFC will adjust the SUT's gain to suit your cartridge.

RFC and others definitely worth checking out - thanks for the tips guys!

 

[Andrei]

I have decided to go for the Benedict Audio.  Now:  MM (with SUT) or MC?   I am inclined to think MC - save some dosh on the deal.  On the Benedict website the MM and MC are the same price.  It would also save on a pair of interconnects. Or are the benefits of of an SUT substantial?  My guess is that if the SUT is very good then there would be some benefit - so maybe it is the same old story; you get what you pay for.  Thoughts. 

 

[Lurch]

To my mind if you need more than the BA in MC mode offers then you don't need a BA to start off with as they're exceedingly good. Unless of course you intend to swap between MM and MC carts in which case the SUT combo makes sense.

 

[Maverick]

or you could look to pick up a SUT in the classifieds, try them and see if you like the difference, if no difference sell the SUT, if (as in my case) there is a difference on A-B tests make a call if it is worth the £

(the fact that my SUT weights as much, if not more, than my phono maybe a clue here?)

 

[tomart]

I built a SUT using LL1678 lundahl mc transformers which give a 16 or 32 times gain. works very well with a range of cartridges (0.5 to 0 .125 mv), no hum.

I find that cables can affect the amount of hum caused.

You can get them with a range of ratios - basic copper,  cardas copper  or pure silver windings.

I built it on boards from k and k audio so can switch between step up ratios and insert parallel resistors to vary loading

http://www.kandkaudio.com/applications-guide/


 



 

 

[orbscure]

My Benedict Audio Hothead MC will be available in a week or so if your interested Andrei, drop me a PM to discuss

 

[Andrei]

My Benedict Audio Hothead MC will be available in a week or so if your interested Andrei, drop me a PM to discuss

Eeeeek!  I have already ordered a Hothead MC  :S

 

[orbscure]

It's always the way Andrei, this happens to the best of us... good luck with the new unit when it arrives, hopefully you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was with how good it works