HOW TO get the BEST SOUND from MC CARTRIDGES!

Chances are, if you've only listened to your moving coil cartridge straight into the MC input on your preamp, you haven't heard the best from your cartridge! The Audiophiliac is here to help!

Prices of the transformers mentioned in this video:

Audio Note -S1 $1,131
Audio Note -S2 $1,571
OJAS transformers $450/per pair
Altec/Peerless 4722 transformers prices vary a lot, sometimes as low as $400/pair, usually a lot more.
Ned Clayton 4722 base, $139 on eBay, but not always in stock
Zesto Allasso $3,600 (my review sample, loaned by Upscale Audio)

0:00 Step up phono transformers, the journey begins here
2:19 I was doing it wrong!
7:38 I have a bunch of MC carts
10:02 The music
11:45 The OJAS transformers
13:14 Lyra Delos/Zesto tranny
15:09 Crap sounding LP, transformed
18:15 Audiophiliac Viewer System of the Day
19:40 Outro

[edwardwilliams]

Very informative video which motivated me to find and buy a SUT for my Hana EL. I found and bought a Verion/Cotter Mk1 S locally, which matched up well with the Hana. I was, as you said, blown away. This was not a particularly inexpensive upgrade but one of the best investments I have ever made in the system. (Hana EL, Verion Mk1, Rega P3, iFi Zen, PS Audio 4.5, Dahlquist DQ-LP1, Belles OCM 200 (low frequency), PS Audio 200C (high frequency), Dahlquist DQ-10s, dual Dahlquist DQ-1W subs, Bluesound Node).

[JRW]

Steve -- I've used SUTs for years, almost exclusively. I agree with you. As you say, an MC cart requires two stages of gain. That first stage can be accomplished with an SUT, a transistor in the phonostage, OR an SUT built into the phonostage (CS Port's and Nagra's phonostages do this, for example). What it took me years to realize is that many, many "tubed" phonostages actually run your MC signal through a solid state transistor first (Audio Research, for example). I bought my first SUT simply to bypass the sonic imprint of a transistor (as an experiment), and it led me to a place where I now own 15+ carts and 15+ SUTs. Borrow one whenever you like. But there are a few camps out there on the adjustable SUTs like Zesto's. The magic of the very best SUTs is in the artisanal windings of the actual transformer, and that artistry can get overshadowed by monkeying around with variable impedance, variable gain, etc.

[DrGIzmoBRad]

Steve ~ As to why most step up transformers increase dynamic range better than active gain stages has to do with the ability to transform the moving coil's low voltage, high current input (via a low impedance primary winding) to the high voltage, low current output (via the secondary high impedance winding).

It does this by 1) conserving input to output power passively without adding noise, and 2) having unlimited slew rate by over-designing the transformer's magnetic core material.

SUTs I use with my vintage Ortofon LOMCs are:
• UTC Ouncer 01 w/ MC-10
• Lundahl LL1941 w/ MC-20, and
• Triad JO-3 w/ LYS.

IMO, SUTs get the most out of LOMCs.

[williekenk]

Steve, this was awesome. I had always assumed SUTs existed as a workaround so you wouldn’t need to upgrade your phonostage. Very educational and unexpected!

[markmaloof]

Step up transformers (good ones) are wonderful. I have used head amps as well, which might be more transparent, but there’s something about a transformer that adds to the musicality of the cartridge that I prefer. I’m glad you were able to discover the magic that a good step up transformer can add to the vinyl playback experience!

And they do sound different, I’m on my third or fourth model of step up transformer, with this time using Bob Device‘s Sky transformer, have a pair of David Slagle’s transformers he made for me that I need to rewire to get rid of a ground buzz issue, both transformers sound different from each other. The Slagles are a bit more transparent but have a lower output, while the Bob’s Devices transformers (custom made for him by Cinemag) have more of a sense of body and drive to them.

[Unpreeeedictable]

Great topic Steve! It’s worth noting that the SUT’s turns ratio needs to match the LOMC’s impedance, and that there’s a calculation to figure that out. Also, another phono cable should be used between the SUT and preamp, not just a regular interconnect. Because this is typically an RCA to RCA connection and most phono cables have a DIN to RCA connection, this is a common mistake.

I use an Allnic AUT-2000 SUT with four different gain settings, similar to the Alesso. Up until now I’ve used it with the MM input on a Luxman EQ-500 and an EAR Yoshino 868 pl, both of which also have LOMC inputs. I agree completely with your comments that SUTs are more dynamic and plump up the bass. Even though both the Luxman and EAR use transformers, the Allnic is noticeably better. As passive units, as long as they are placed away from power sources, they are also incredibly quiet, which I believe aids the sound presentation.

I like SUTs so much that I’ve just ordered a high quality MM-only phonostage, a Lejonklou Slipsik 8, to pair with the Allnic. I’m totally sold on SUTs and may purchase several more in the future. The MM/MC phono preamps will go to new homes. They just aren’t needed!

[musicnexo]

Steve, It amazes me it took you so long to realize how much better MC step-up transformers sound over high-gain active preamps. I experienced the same thing 20 years ago with my Benz Micro L0.4 cartridge, a relatively high 0.6 mV output. I had a vintage Audio Interface MC transformer (still have it) CST 80 (20 db passive gain) which I had bought in the 90s with a Dynavector Karat Ruby (also a high coil impedance cartridge). I was blown away by the warm, luscious, lush, addictive sound. The L04 had similar electrical specs as the EMTs so I bought an EMT cartridge and thats heaven. Linn has a new cartridge (the Kendo) I understand made by EMT with the same specs: 0.6 mV output and 12 ohms coil impedance.

For your XX-2 (6 ohms) I suggest you try the Dyna's own transformer. It also works with Ortofons and Audio Technica. For the Zu (Denon), Denon transformers are the best.

[redstarwraith]

Going to have to rewatch this episode a few times. Lots to consider here.

[carlosbauza]

One version of the Ortofon SPU cartridge brings the transformers built into the headshell. Magical! But this brings a large mass into the headshell, with its own set of extra considerations..

[bilguana]

I use the ELAC Alchemy PPA-2 for great clarity, detail and dynamics.

[luckycharm]

Been using SUT's for years and they are a game changer.
Quality of the SUT matters.

[paulgreen]

Glad you rediscovered SUTs. I've been using a Bob's Devices "Sky SUT" for about a dozen years with my Ortofon Cadenza Black. My phono stage is the well-regarded EAR 834p Deluxe MM/MC designed by Tim de Paravacini but the MC is dull and lifeless. All that goes away with a great SUT in play.

[hartmutlebold]

I'm using a DENON AU-320 step up transformer with a low output Benz Micro Reference cartridge, going in the MM tube phono stage of a Sunfire tube amp, and the sound is amazing !

[DrGIzmoBRad]

The cool feature of SUTs is that high frequency brightness can be compensated by putting load resistors across the secondary winding. Parallel resistance provides HF roll-off. Ended up with 165KΩ across the UTC Ouncer 01, and 110KΩ across the Lundahl LL1941s. The Triad JO-3's didn't need any ~ they sounded fine w/o any :)

[paulpavlou]

I have since 1982 used an Audio Technica AT-630 For MC Cartridge Step-up Transformer for my Nakamichi MC1000 reference pick-up on my VacuumState FVP5a preamplifier that never had enough gain. I have recently (2yrs ago) purchased a JLTi Phono moving coil preamplifier which has taken my vinyl setup to new levels of charity, wider soundstage and in your words a more there, there experience.
I was happy with the step-up transformer but was total blown away by the JLTi phono preamplifier in my system.

[OgamJan]

I do not play vinyl, but your enthusiasm is very inspiring nonetheless. Always enjoy watching your videos, it makes me listen more.

[ronenash]

I have been using tube phono preamp for as long as I can remember and step up transformers are pretty much your only option for using Mc cartridges. I find this combo works best for me.

[larryeckerdt]

Oh boy! More variables! Why are you trying to get me divorced?

[jeffreywagner]

The clarity and sense of increased presence you hear with the step up transformers is the exact same change you will hear when moving from resistive volume controls to transformer based volume controls. When I put a pair of autoformer attenuation in my 300B SET amp. It was like lifting a couple bed sheets off my speakers. I would recommend them to everyone.

[johnvincent]

6 months ago I bought my first MC cartridge. Rega Ania MC for my Rega Planar 3 to replace Ortofon Blue 2M cartridge. Almost immediately I researched how to get the most from my MC cartridge. I read about step up transformers and was interested. After watching Steve, I'm going to find one.