I am currently putting together a Thorens TD 124 Mk2 with a 12" Jelco 750 LB (plus the heavier counterweight and one of Shuggie's collars), with a Midas-potted Denon 103 (.36 mv output each channel). Preamp is a valve VTL De Luxe with the MM stage, bought about 20 years ago. Power is from a pair of VTL 225W monoblocks (EL 34s) driving Martin Logan Sequel IIs, so you can see what type of warm, natural and open sound I like.
I thought that selecting the step up transformer would be the easy part - bearing in mind that there's supposed to be no such thing as a bad SUT - but despite (or perhaps that should be because of) scouring this forum and others, I am more undecided than ever!
I started off looking at the Silvercore One to Ten and the Cinemag and Sowter offerings from Bob's Devices, but Bob's become a bit expensive here in the UK once you factor in the import duty and shipping. At less than half the price, the Cinemag Choir Audio SUT-1 looks like terrific value.
Others on the list are the Rothwell MCL and MC1, Puresound T10, Icon MC TX and Analog Tube Audio MC1. There's also the possibility of a used K&K Audio Premium for a good price too!
The Choir Audio SUT-1 is probably the front runner right now but I haven't dismissed a Denon 300LC. Then again, maybe I should just push the boat out and go for an Albarry MCA 11 or Auditorium A23...?
I know this subject has come up many times before but any views would be much appreciated!
Regards
Jon'.