[BobM]

There's a general consensus that moving coil cartridges have an affinity with transformers. That's why most MC users tend to like trannies better than non transformer based step up devices for that first gain stage.

Now I'm using a slightly modded Piccolo and find it to sound pretty damn fine. And others I know who have trannies and Piccolo's have a hard time deciding which they actually prefer (slightly different flavors).

So, does the Piccolo have something special in its design that makes it look like a trannie to the cartridge?

[analog97]

So, does the Piccolo have something special in its design that makes it look like a trannie to the cartridge?

Yes.  Very good design and engineering.  Those are the essential ingredients to make quiet gain.

[amandarae]

Hi BobM,

Not to confuse on things, but here's how I understood it.

Piccolo - load before amplification of the current, no transformed impedance, current device because of the transistors.

SUT - amplification before loading of the voltage, transforms the impedance it sees, obviously works on the voltage as seen from the primary reflected to the secondary (with voltage gain).

BTW, I am in the SUT camp.  I much prefer it than the Piccolo in my system, but I use the Piccolo now and then.

[analog97]

I also have an SUT, a Denon.  To me, the ability to change loading on-the-fly is very attractive.  You can be absolutely sure you can hear the difference loading makes when using the PICCOLO.  I'd like to have the opportunity to perform this same test with an SUT. 

Every time you have to wait 15 minutes or so to change loading resistors, cables or whatever, the certainty of decision goes away and chance walks through the door. 

[PatOMalley]

I have a Cinemag SUT which has a switch for 37ohms and 150ohms. You can hear the difference between the two on the DL103*. 37 having more color and 150 more open. A preference really.

On solid state I hear more energy, tighter vs more bass, but a little thinner through the mids.

I did no comparison with the Piccolo.