Wanted: Ortofon T-3000 step up transformer for MC cartridges (SUT)

[anubisgrau]

as per the title, i'm seeking for a clean ortofon t-3000 SUT.

i know these are not a supermarket unit so it may take some time but here i am.

depending on my cash flow, idealistically i would prefer if someone would seek to downgrade so i can offer auditorium A23 SUT optimized for ortofon low impedance pickups plus some cash. or let me know what would you like to get so we can talk.

this is the one:

http://audio-heritage.jp/ORTOFON/etc/t-3000.JPG

as i don't spend every day here, in case i don't response promptly my mail is gordan at b92.net. i will be faster if contacted via email.

THANKS!

[anubisgrau]

bump!

[Spectral Morn]

Made to match the Ortofon MC3000 cart back in 1988 sold in USA for $1250 more info here http://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/188ortofon/index.html

I have a T2000 also the matching cart but not sure I would sell them.

Good luck with the quest.



Regards Neil

[anubisgrau]

Made to match the Ortofon MC3000 cart back in 1988 sold in USA for $1250 more info here http://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/188ortofon/index.html

I have a T2000 also the matching cart but not sure I would sell them.

Good luck with the quest.

Regards Neil

T-2000 and T-3000 do appear from time to time, even T-5000. i was late for a recent ad at audiomarkt, it was 500e.

i assume the most of them are in japan as they appear on yahoo japan auction site but it's complicated to bid, or i can't bother to deal with the brokers that site use for bidding on your behalf. too complicated plus looks dodgy, although apparently it's not. and it's cheaper there.

also they appear on scandinavian s/h audio markets.

of course, some are asking crazy prices, like a current BIN offer for $1200.

anyway, i only have experience with T-3000 and it works fine with my current pickup of choice. i don't know about T-2000 and T-5000.

[anubisgrau]

Still searching. I can't believe, it was constantly popping out when I didn't look to buy it. Now - a silence.

[rdpx]

I can find you a used Pure Sound P10 and SUP if you fancy a switch!

[anubisgrau]

thank you - i already own i think 4 SUTs at the moment including some very special ones (like the one from tango) but T-3000 has an amazing synergy with my pickup so there's no substitute.

[anubisgrau]

Bump!

[sjs]

Gordan, I have a clean one with original shipping box, but I think you already know that :)

I use it with an Ortofon MC70 Anniversary cart re-tipped by Expert Stylus, and despite having an AN UK IO and AN JP SUT the Ortofon combination is still playing.

T-3000 has toroidal core and silver windings to match silver coils in MC 3000 and MC 70 Anv, I think T-2000 and MC 2000 are copper, but I may be wrong.

[Marco]

Hi Gordan,

You should also consider one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORTOFON-MCA-76-MOVING-COIL-PREAMP-with-CD-4-220-volt-unit-FULLY-WORKING-/351474387706?hash=item51d5818afa

In my experience, after years of using SUTs, the active route, via the use of an MC head amp, also has much going for it! :)

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

Current list of T3000 on HiFi Shark http://www.hifishark.com/search?q=ortofon+t3000

[anubisgrau]

Thanks everyone. A few comments.

I can't entertain Ebay prices. These auctions are there for more than a year. Meanwhile there were a few transactions on Audiomarkt and Lenco Heaven around a 500-550e mark.

Right now the UK is pretty much off limits for purchases from Eurozone due to GBP:Euro ratio. Until a year ago 600 GBP (a sort of an avg T-3000 price in the UK) was 700e, let's say acceptable for what it does, now it's very close to 1000e mark.

Marco, strangely I like MCA-76 cheap and cheerful device that makes old Ortofon MCs shine. I tested it with SL-15 and you can hear they are voiced together. However I had T-3000 in my room and it's quite a different story if you use upper class Ortofons.

[anubisgrau]

Btw I hate Yahoo Japan auctions. In the end you pay about 30% more than a seller gets. There's a Russian mediator company, you need to pay in advance a maximum bid and other disturbing things. On top T-3000 regularly comes in Japan and it never exceeds a $600 mark but I just hate to get involved in that.

[Marco]

Marco, strangely I like MCA-76 cheap and cheerful device that makes old Ortofon MCs shine. I tested it with SL-15 and you can hear they are voiced together. However I had T-3000 in my room and it's quite a different story if you use upper class Ortofons.

Fair enough. I agree that the MCA-76 is a superb VFM device. The only "upper class" Ortofon cartridge I've had is an SPU Royal GM MKII, which I used to good effect with an Ortofon ST-80SE SUT, but to even greater effect with a Paul Hynes MC head amp (and matching SR5 PSU)!

My point is, before shelling out big bucks on an expensive SUT, consider the active route. When done right, MC head amps can make even the best SUTs sound somewhat 'limp and soggy' ;)

Marco.

[anubisgrau]

well i would expect T-3000 not to cost more than paul hynes head amp, or....?

[Marco]

How much, on average, is a T-3000? :)

Marco.

[sjs]

As Gordon suggested T-3000 are typically £600 to £650 in the UK.
Pound has recently dropped from its peak against Euro and £600 is now about €800.

[anubisgrau]

As Gordon suggested T-3000 are typically £600 to £650 in the UK.
Pound has recently dropped from its peak against Euro and £600 is now about €800.

yes, £600 in the UK. actually that's what three sellers i know asked. just a two days ago an ebay auction with £600 starting price ended with zero bids.

it's about $600 in japan and 500-550e in europe (germany, scandinavia). average. still i've seen an auction go to 800e in denmark (for a NIB T-3000).

a few ebay BIN sales are asking about a double, but that's already for years.

anyway it wasn't an intention to hype this item, i guess i would have a similar impressions if i've heard T1-SPU, T100-SPU, T-5000, T-7000 or T-7500. actually T-3000 is the one you see most often. for example i've only once saw T-7500 for sale and the price was insane, over 1000 pounds.

[Marco]

Ok, well for £600, why not... I was thinking the cost was over a grand. A Paul Hynes SUT/SR5 combo is more like £1500.

It's strange that very few companies build high-end moving coil head amps. Such things are rather thin on the ground, and yet they can be highly effective. Anyway, not to worry. Enjoy the T-3000, Gordan, if you land one. Do let us know how you get on :cool:

Marco.

[Spectral Morn]

yes, £600 in the UK. actually that's what three sellers i know asked. just a two days ago an ebay auction with £600 starting price ended with zero bids.

it's about $600 in japan and 500-550e in europe (germany, scandinavia). average. still i've seen an auction go to 800e in denmark (for a NIB T-3000).

a few ebay BIN sales are asking about a double, but that's already for years.

anyway it wasn't an intention to hype this item, i guess i would have a similar impressions if i've heard T1-SPU, T100-SPU, T-5000, T-7000 or T-7500. actually T-3000 is the one you see most often. for example i've only once saw T-7500 for sale and the price was insane, over 1000 pounds.

I think if you have a 2000, 3000, or any Ortofon cart getting the matching step up, the one Ortofon designed to compliment it is a bit of ano brainier. When I bought my 2000 mk2 the matching step up was got at the same time. There may well be as good or better step ups for these carts available elsewhere but often matching packages will give the best results.

I wish you the best on your hunt.


Regards Neil

[anubisgrau]

thanks, just trying to get one from japan. keep fingers crossed...

[anubisgrau]

bloody yahoo japan, i couldnt log in before the auction ending !

:steam:

[Barry]

Hi Gordan,

You should also consider one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORTOFON-MCA-76-MOVING-COIL-PREAMP-with-CD-4-220-volt-unit-FULLY-WORKING-/351474387706?hash=item51d5818afa

In my experience, after years of using SUTs, the active route, via the use of an MC head amp, also has much going for it! :)

Marco.

That's an absurd price for an MCA76.

I had one once (came with the Ortofon MC20 I used to use). Very quite noise wise, but as a design flawed.

[anubisgrau]

it was probably broken, barry. that design is actually very silent - i tried it for a few days with quite a low output SL15 and it had no hum whatsover (and my system is like a magnifying glass for hum, noise, buzz,... everything of a kind)

[Barry]

You misunderstood my post. I agree the design is very quite: in fact it is close to the theoretical noise minimum and there is no hum either, but the design has shortcomings in SQ. There is/was a lack of involvement, that other head amps do not display.

The MCA 76 was used with Ortofon SL15E, SL15E Mk. II as well as with the MC20 cartridge. The MC20/MCA76 was part exchanged for an Ortofon M25FL, with the headamp itself replaced by a (modified) Linn LINNK phonostage.

[Marco]

You misunderstood my post. I agree the design is very quite: in fact it is close to the theoretical noise minimum and there is no hum either, but the design has shortcomings in SQ. There is/was a lack of involvement, that other head amps do not display.


Not in my experience, mate. Quite the opposite, in fact! :)

Marco.

[Barry]

Not in my experience, mate. Quite the opposite, in fact! :)

Marco.

I found it had a 'grey' and lacklustre sound. The Lentek was a better head-amp.

[duo(2)]

Hi

There is a t-3000 on auktion on epay

[Marco]

I found it had a 'grey' and lacklustre sound. The Lentek was a better head-amp.

Probably just a synergy thing, Barry. I also preferred the Lentek, but didn't find the Ortofon as you've described.

Marco.