SUT Suggestion - Jensen vs Audio Technica

[Pani]

Folks,
This is one of the more esoteric forums where SUTs are discussed so often:). I use an Audio Technica ART-9 cartridge and looking for a good SUT to match. My phono stage is an Audio Note M6 phono (it is a M6 preamp with in-built MM phono). I auditioned the Audio Note S3 SUT and it was amazing but also very expensive. I want to keep it within $1500. The two SUTs I have shortlisted based on some research is Jensen JT-347-AXT with 1:12 ratio:
http://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/jt-347-axt-112.pdf

Also since my cartridge is Audio Technica I am considering AT-2000T.

Jensen is about $500 for a pair and I will have to put it in a box and terminate it appropriately. AT2000T is fully built. The good thing about Jensen is it already comes in fully shielded cans. Some respectable manufacturers of tube phonostages like Zanden, Luxman, ARC, Berning and Lamm use Jensen SUT for MC amplification. What do you guys think about this choice, AT vs Jensen ?

[hifi_dave]

There is a lovely Fidelity Research FRT3 in the 'Classified' section, at a giveaway price.

[Yomanze]

Jensen for me. Super natural and neutral transformers, superb measurements, where many others add flavour, like Audio Note love to.

[Arkless Electronics]

Continuing from recent discussion of the matter here on AOS, have you considered a head amp instead of SUT?

[ludovico]

Continuing from recent discussion of the matter here on AOS, have you considered a head amp instead of SUT?

Why should an head amp be better than any SUT (it seems to be just your opinion)?

[dimkasta]

Edcor also seems popular and super cheap. I have no idea if they have the ratio you need though.

[albertan]

The Audio Technica has not been made for years. I doubt that Audio Technica even made it. It is very specialized work. If I was a betting man I would place my last dollar that Phasemation actually built Audio Technica's' step up transformers. They make good stuff so that is not the issue. They (AT and Phasemation sut's) share a common attribute that being the ground connection does not go to earth. It works as a connection that allows one cable ground to connect with another cable ground that then goes to earth on the phono preamp or some other device that has a ground connection that goes to earth. One ground connection clip held together with another ground connection clip by the compression force of the ground connection screw can be a cause for hum.

Ask me how I know.

[anubisgrau]

The Audio Technica has not been made for years. I doubt that Audio Technica even made it. It is very specialized work. If I was a betting man I would place my last dollar that Phasemation actually built Audio Technica's' step up transformers. They make good stuff so that is not the issue. They (AT and Phasemation sut's) share a common attribute that being the ground connection does not go to earth. It works as a connection that allows one cable ground to connect with another cable ground that then goes to earth on the phono preamp or some other device that has a ground connection that goes to earth. One ground connection clip held together with another ground connection clip by the compression force of the ground connection screw can be a cause for hum.

Ask me how I know.

How do you know that both are actually not OEM-ed by a third party?

[albertan]

Check out the Phasemation website. They have been making step up transformers for years. They incorporate them into their phono preamplifiers. It is my understanding that Phasemation is a sideline business for a Japanese computer billionaire.

[JimC]

I don't know your Cartridge spec's but these are vert nice Transformers........................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hashimoto-HM-3-x-2-MC-Step-Up-transformers-x20-x40-for-Denon-Ortofon-Cartridge-/370887489586

Jim.

P.S. No affiliation with the seller, just searched for Hashimoto SUT's.

[colonel]

Contact Dave Slagle

http://www.intactaudio.com/tran.html

His SUT's are legendary.

(no affilliation btw)

A silver version may be within your budget

[farflungstar]

I've been speaking with Dave about this. I use his Emia autoformer modules at the minute and he is a genius - but expensive.

SUTs

Naked copper $500 / boxed $2400.
Naked silver $1300/ boxed $3600.


Tribute Audio come in at well under half the price though are short on silver at the moment.




In perpetual pursuit.