Thinking about a SUT

[Jac Hawk]

Hi guys, i've always used MC phono stages, so tell me why should i consider a SUT over a MC phono stage, what are the benefits / drawbacks and what sort of SUT should i be looking for as a partner to my Art9?


Over to you...................

[hifi_dave]

Swings and roundabouts. There are good and bad of each.

Good place to start is Rothwell who make good x'mers and MC SS phono stages.

Depending on your present phono stage, you might also consider a complete phono stage.

[Jac Hawk]

Thanks Dave, at the moment i have a Firebottle OTP Mk3 set at MM with a HOMC and a Project tube box with my Art9, output of the AR9 is 0.5mV and it's obviously this set up i'm considering a SUT for.

[Ali Tait]

As a generality, an active MC stage will have a more up front and dynamic sound whilst a SUT will sound a little more mellow and organic. It can be a minefield getting the right SUT for your cart, but the results can be great when you do.

[Jac Hawk]

I don’t like it when the word “minefield “ starts to appear in a thread

[walpurgis]

I don’t like it when the word “minefield “ starts to appear in a thread

Hard to think of an area in H-Fi where that word might not come into play.

I agree with HiFi Dave on the SUT bit by the way.

[Ali Tait]

Just the way it is with SUT’s unfortunately IMO. You have to listen with your own ears, not just buy on spec.

[Jimbo]

Best to maybe try and find out which SUTs have been paired well with the ART9 and try those first. Otherwise recommending a SUT blind may not give you the result you require.

I agree with Ali regarding phono stages and SUTs as that was my finding too. It is I feel easier to pair a phono stage with a cartridge than find a good SUT but when you do find a good SUT pairing the results can be more natural sounding. I have found some head amps can sound a bit mechanical and some phono stages too forward and brash.

[walpurgis]

Cheap SUT's are generally dire. A 'sale or return' deal may be worth thinking about.

[graham67]

Hi jac, a vintage denon ha500 head amp is a good match with the art 9.

[Jac Hawk]

Cheers Graham, this is what i'm looking for folks, your experience to help me avoid costly mistakes.

[Ali Tait]

Used to have a Denon, agree it’s a good bit of kit, in fact I liked it enough to move up to a 1000 and rebuild it. Still have it. Great sounding but again it gives you the head amp sound. Haven’t heard a better of it’s kind though.

[Miller]

Been through enough transformer from Auditorium, Billington, Cinemag and more... Now I just live with a Hashimoto HM-3 and a Audio Innovations S800.

Friend has an Art 9 also and uses the HM-3 also.

I also have a stash of head amps and as good as they are I would not favour them over the Hash'... Good luck.

[Ali Tait]

Had Hashimoto, Mayware, AN, vintage Luxman and Klangfilm and probably others I’ve forgotten. Settled with a Tribute with my Gullwing.

[Clive]

It’s a bit of a generalisation but I find SUTs match valve phono stages well whereas solidstate works better without SUTs. I have S&B TX103 SUTs which are tremendous, these are paired with a Hagerman Cornet 2. I also have a great SS MC/MM Phono 2 from Lindemann.

[plastico]

I picked up a AT 650 sut, and it is a match made in heaven for my AT ART 9! This is going through a Gold Note PH -1 phono stage.
Cheers, Doug

[Jac Hawk]

Thanks everyone, food for thought indeed