Cartridge Step Up Transformer question

[mikeyb]

Is a SUT limited by the phono stage it's going into?

ie: no point adding a SUT to a basic stage.

I'm assuming it's better to a have good phono stage in the first place, then add a SUT if needed later on.

My TQ Claymore MC input sounds very good by I'm trying to decide whether to go the whole hog and by a phono stage, I liked Alan's Firebottle plus demo and his Vivant is supposed to be even better, but I've also thought about buying a SUT to go into my amp, just don't wasn't to spend cash I could use towards a stage.

[NRG]

There is no point if your amp already has an MC stage. Adding a SUT will mean you have to feed it into the MM stage of your amp as it will overload the MC input. Also a lot of MM/MC stages are common with only the front end loading and gain being different.

[Marco]

Hi Mike,

Does the Claymore have an MM stage, as well as an MC stage? If so, experimenting with an SUT in conjunction with the MM stage may provide dividends, as it's not unknown for that to outperform a standalone MC stage, if the SUT used is of sufficient quality :)

Marco.

[Kember]

Mike,

IIRC the Claymore (why ever did I sell mine?) has a very decent MM phono stage, so is there much point paying twice for a bigger phono stage until/unless you are not satisfied with what you have?

I've used SUTs and quality carts to good effect with a fairly basic Gram Amp 2 and into a little Aurex integratedamp to good effect. I'd suggest as with most things aural, it might be worth borrowing some SUTs and giving it a go?

Best

Peter

[mikeyb]

It has an MM stage too, but the Zu Denon 103 sounds really good through the MC input, I just want more lol

[walpurgis]

I tried a couple of good SUTs into a cheap and cheerful Cambridge Audio 640P phono stage using the MM side of things. The results were surprisingly decent.

[Marco]

It has an MM stage too, but the Zu Denon 103 sounds really good through the MC input, I just want more lol

Nowt wrong with that. Only the lazy and/or undiscerning are easily pleased! ;)

Well... With the right SUT (one that ideally matches your cartridge), you may well get more with it, through the MM stage of the Claymore, than with the Denon straight into the MC stage. For SUTs, my advice would be to look at the Lundahl-based K&K ones. They perform superbly with DL-103s.

Marco.

[struth]

Saucy bark

[Marco]

Que? :scratch:

Marco.

[Jimbo]

Nowt wrong with that. Only the lazy and/or undiscerning are easily pleased! ;)

Well... With the right SUT (one that ideally matches your cartridge), you may well get more with it, through the MM stage of the Claymore, than with the Denon straight into the MC stage. For SUTs, my advice would be to look at the Lundahl-based K&K ones. They perform superbly with DL-103s.

Marco.

I certainly agree with that Marco. I can tell you the K&K Audio SUT also works well with some very high priced MC cartridges. I lent it to a mate recently and it out performed quite a few SUT's!

[Marco]

Lol, good news. I'm not surprised about that, Jim. Remember I selected it to deliver big time on the SPPV front! ;)

Marco.

[mikeyb]

Thanks for the help, I've been looking at those K&K SUTs. Not seen any second hand, but I have been keeping a watch on Denon ones from Japan like the Au-103 and also the Silvercore ones from Germany.

Had a new set of cartridge scales arrive today and it would appear that my taking weight had been too high, that's been adjusted back to correct setting and I've swapped the taped coins on the counterweight for lead tape that's now wrapped around the counterweight so it should balance more even.

Won't get much of a listen tonight so I'll find out tomorrow if it's improved.

[Ali Tait]

Mike, I have some SUT's you can borrow. Pick them up with the arm.

[mikeyb]

Mike, I have some SUT's you can borrow. Pick them up with the arm.
Lol, ok I'll empty the car boot. If I wasn't such an anti social bugger I'd organise a bake off which might make choosing gear a bit easier ;)

[Ali Tait]

Well you can attend the next board meeting when we arrange one..

[Jimbo]

The K&K Audio SUT I have was "baked off" against a Partridge, Yamamoto, Choir Audio and a number of head amps recently and was the most preferred. A range of different cartridges were also used from very low output to low output.

I think Marco has also compared this to a few SUT's he has had from the past and I know he was very enthusiastic about its performance.

[A1000]

Afternoon Gents. Isn't the K&K Lundahl trannie's? And the trannie of your choice at that so a) will vary with the customer option chosen and b) be the same as other similarly equipped SUT's?
Lundahl have a very good reputation and wouldn't surprise me that the K&K reflects that.

[Marco]

Hi mate,

Before going any further, could you please add your real first name and approximate geographical location to your profile? Since you joined in 2009, this has become a mandatory requirement for all members, as we like to feel that we're talking to a real person, not simply a faceless 'Internet entity'.

Cheers! :cool:

Marco.