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I run a Soundsmith Zephyr with a Well Tempered Amadeus and K&K Audio MM phono pre. I want to move into the MC world and am wondering if I should add something like the Choir Audio SUT-H7 or switch to a high end MC phono pre? I keep reading posts by those saying that adding the SUT is a tremendous improvement over using a capable phono pre.
Those are both less expensive options but it seems like the Hashimoto transformers are a notch better? The real question is, spend $1700 on a SUT or sell my current phono pre and have a $3k budget for MC phono pre?
I don't know where or what posts you've been reading, but I strongly disagree. Results vary, but compared to a good MC stage, it's a trade off at best. That's SQ for dynamics. I'd also suggest not giving up your MM stage. There are plenty of excellent MM/MC stages for $3K or less. Check out the last few posts here:http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=107257.0
For a differing point of reference, I've been using a Herron MC phono stage for years. Recently I pulled out the FET MC stage and started using a Choir Audio Hashimoto 3 SUT for gain. I picked up greater texture and color, somewhat better dynamics, and better dynamic differentiation (silence between notes, resolution between strings,...)For me it was a win-win. BTW, I'm using a VDH Colribi.
I haven't picked out a MC cart yet. It'll probably be something relatively inexpensive to start with. I don't plan on going without a MM stage, but since I have never heard LOMC I want to see what it's all about. It's posts like Bob's that I have been reading where people see improvements using a quality SUT over a very capable MC phono pre.
When I first tried a transformer, I really didn't know how it worked. It's considered a passive device - not plugged into the wall. Somehow, you plug in your cart, and out it comes with enough voltage to drive your MM stage. How does this magic work?http://www.powertransformer.us/stepuptransformers.htmReally? Additional eddy currents and magnet distortion from iron core coils configured as a transformer? A SUT for a phono cart is the same thing. IMO any improvement over a high quality MC gain stage is coloration. That's assuming you have adequate gain going straight in. Greater texture and color - that's in addition to what's on the recording. Greater dynamics - at what price? If you find a great match, euphonic colorations are pleasing and addictive. If you don't have a great match..... With a budget between 1700 and 3K to try out some MCs, IMO that's a no brainer.
The OC9 and 103R are two MC carts I was thinking of testing with. I guess since Choir offers a 30 day trial I can at least see how one of those two carts compare to the Zephyr. People are saying the 103R sounds like a totally different animal when used with a SUT, which has me curious.
So you know what's on the recording? Is it possible that some MC stages (like the J-FET stage of the Herron) may just strip off some of the "color" that's on the recording? I seem to remember that being discussed by a few reviewers back when the Herron was the "hot" piece to own.
Although the link provides a basic overview of step up transformers, its context is virtually useless to support your contention. Statements in the overview such as: "With a step up transformer or step down transformer the voltage ratio between primary and secondary will mirror the "turn ratio" (except for single phase smaller than 1 kva which have compensated secondaries). A practical application of this 2 to 1 turns ratio would be a 480 to 240 voltage step down. and "High-voltage transmission lines carry the electric current to substations where the voltage is lowered so it that can be distributed locally on smaller power lines known as distribution lines. Distribution line voltage levels are typically 4 kV or 12 kV.[/] These voltages are reduced one last time at smaller pole-top transformers to utilization voltages, typically 120 and 240 volts, to make the power safe to use in our homes."... show the context of the overview. It is a ludicrous stretch to postulate the same dynamics at 0.2 MILLIvolts as 4 KILOvolts. I think a 10 million to 1 ratio of voltage MAY have some impact on the construction of the transformer and the transformer's impact on the voltage. Powerline transmission transformers are built to transfer power, signal is not even an afterthought. Audio SUT's are designed to pass signal converting unneeded current, (amperage), to needed additional voltage. Not much corollary beyond the most simplistic classification of step-up/down transformer. That being said, I use active amplification for my LOMC's, but am planning to give SUT's another try. I tried a SUT maybe 15-20 years ago, but, at the time, it was just too "fiddly" and finicky. The understanding and construction have come a long way!! Cheers, Geary
