I'm not sure if MC SUTs ever really "went away". There are plenty of companies that have been making them for decades. They tend to be most popular with people using valve preamps. In the UK, Audio Note makes a bunch. You also have Music First Audio, EAR Yoshino, and Henley Audio, and there are many more from Japan and the USA.
SUTs have been a quiet art for a while it seems. Having gone through a few in recent times I ended up with a Rothwell MCX which made a massive difference to clarity and noise floor compared to the MC stage of my Rega Aria. I’d gone down a pathway listening recording and comparing a few of these notably the Ortofon ST-7. It would be really interesting to her some recordings done with a variety of SUTs to get an idea of their various merits. Do you have opinions on any other manufacturers ?
I have my Ania going into a Rothwell MCX then into the MM side of a Rothwell Rialto, then into the line input of my Elex R. This was recommended to me by your previous employers in Warrington. It is a revelation! 2/3 of the price of a Rega Aria but the sound performance I would say matches it.
I bought an EAR Yoshino phonobox with the volume pot. It's a full tube phonostage with transformers on the MC. Transformers definitely sound better to my ears
So does it mean you can change to a MC and keep your MM phono stage if use one of these boxes , or as usual am I missing something . If so can someone enlighten me . Kind regards
I'm waiting for the new replacement of the anniversary custom sut, Andrew hopes it will be ready for the end of November possibly. He has add 1:20 turns ratio. And make everything better. Can't wait to buy one. At the moment I'm using mcx my first step up transformer and it's bloody good. Phono stage is naim nait 50 with my unused linn Arkiv mc cartridge. Results are really good. Transformers I recommend the approach if you have an mm stage already. Go Rothwell.
There are quite a few step-up transformers. I just go my Zesto Andros Alasso SUT, which is adjustable (4x gain, 10x impedance). What I noticed is that you trade tube hiss from tube PS for transformer hum from SUT. I only notice it when I turn up the pre-amp and listen to speakers with no music playing. The sound is fuller with the SUT in signal path. TT is naia with Aphelion 2 to EAT eglow petite.
What's wrong with people. Making an appointed not showing not even a phone call to cancel. Some people forget Phil is running a business. t The guy isn't doing Phil a favour. Lots of inconsiderate ar*se holes out there unfortunately.
What’s the brand name? I have a mc ps, so I’d like to try the transformer for it. Are all transformers equal in quality? Or are there some transformers better than others? Thank you. Enjoy your videos.
Steve Guttenberg reviewed a SUT (step-up transformer) by Zesto Audio the Andros Allasso. There is also the Pro-ject MC Step Up Box DS3 B and the Icon Audio MCTX.
There are still plenty of transformers on the market, but I’ve been wanting to try a balanced input transformer into my esoteric e-02 phono stage but either too expensive (audio technica at 4K) or unable to trial one if made in the USA. I actually asked Andrew if he could make his signature transformer as a balanced model but unfortunately was unable to oblige.
The " Better way" is actually to switch to high res streaming WITH A GOOD DAC! and abandon all the turntable and pickup faff and fetishism which is required to compensate for vinyls crude mechanical fundamental nature and massive recording compression and just enjoy the convenience, robustness, accessibility, multi user capability, up to date massive choice, presentation of new artists music and new titles, the facility to explore new genres and unfamiliar artists at no extra cost or risk, portability and highest available quality of sound for childrens pocket money cost every month. But thats not going to persuade you is it? ( I see that VHS tapes are making a comeback. Maybe you should get into those again? They are so much more "Analogue" 😊)
If you had edited this video to start at 9mins, it would have so much more impact. I’m sure you’re an awesome person in real life, but the waffle and dull preamble (including drinking on camera) just kills the valuable content. I’m not the only one, right?
I note your point but its all part of the chatty friendly independent dealer image that Phil is trying to cultivate, and there is nothing wrong with that. Its not intended to come across as a slick corporate presentation.
Superb explanation Phil at 4m50s. Makes perfect sense
In addition Graham Slee makes a MC Step up transformer (called the Elevator). There do seem to still be a few manufacturers about.
I think the Elevator is an active amplifier rather than a passive transformer.
@richardsinger01 just checked and you are right. Many ways to drink a cat!
Skin
Great to see someone talking about Step-ups. They are a far better solution.
I'm not sure if MC SUTs ever really "went away". There are plenty of companies that have been making them for decades. They tend to be most popular with people using valve preamps. In the UK, Audio Note makes a bunch. You also have Music First Audio, EAR Yoshino, and Henley Audio, and there are many more from Japan and the USA.
Yep, I use an EAR MC4 into the MM input of my Manley Steelhead - it's fabulous...
SUTs have been a quiet art for a while it seems. Having gone through a few in recent times I ended up with a Rothwell MCX which made a massive difference to clarity and noise floor compared to the MC stage of my Rega Aria. I’d gone down a pathway listening recording and comparing a few of these notably the Ortofon ST-7. It would be really interesting to her some recordings done with a variety of SUTs to get an idea of their various merits. Do you have opinions on any other manufacturers ?
I have my Ania going into a Rothwell MCX then into the MM side of a Rothwell Rialto, then into the line input of my Elex R. This was recommended to me by your previous employers in Warrington. It is a revelation! 2/3 of the price of a Rega Aria but the sound performance I would say matches it.
Then there’s moving iron, with even lower mass but with the same output as moving magnet.
My Audionote Chinese copy phono stage. 13cm transformer 2 valve supply. 4MM Auminium case 4 Weet copper foil caps. They make Jensen Caps 312GBP
I bought an EAR Yoshino phonobox with the volume pot. It's a full tube phonostage with transformers on the MC. Transformers definitely sound better to my ears
Maybe consider an optical cartridge instead of an MC?
So does it mean you can change to a MC and keep your MM phono stage if use one of these boxes , or as usual am I missing something . If so can someone enlighten me . Kind regards
Don't let making a UA-cam video get in the way of drinking a cup of something...
Such an affectation and lots of them do it.
Just bought a rega aria mk3 damm
Yeah, but it sounds damn good, my aria's a keeper!
Couldn’t agree more great move from Project Ds2 phono Ortofon cadenza red great mids and sound stage
I'm waiting for the new replacement of the anniversary custom sut, Andrew hopes it will be ready for the end of November possibly.
He has add 1:20 turns ratio. And make everything better. Can't wait to buy one. At the moment I'm using mcx my first step up transformer and it's bloody good. Phono stage is naim nait 50 with my unused linn Arkiv mc cartridge. Results are really good. Transformers I recommend the approach if you have an mm stage already. Go Rothwell.
There are quite a few step-up transformers. I just go my Zesto Andros Alasso SUT, which is adjustable (4x gain, 10x impedance). What I noticed is that you trade tube hiss from tube PS for transformer hum from SUT. I only notice it when I turn up the pre-amp and listen to speakers with no music playing. The sound is fuller with the SUT in signal path. TT is naia with Aphelion 2 to EAT eglow petite.
What's wrong with people. Making an appointed not showing not even a phone call to cancel. Some people forget Phil is running a business. t
The guy isn't doing Phil a favour. Lots of inconsiderate ar*se holes out there unfortunately.
What’s the brand name? I have a mc ps, so I’d like to try the transformer for it. Are all transformers equal in quality? Or are there some transformers better than others? Thank you. Enjoy your videos.
Rothwell MCL.
Steve Guttenberg reviewed a SUT (step-up transformer) by Zesto Audio the Andros Allasso. There is also the Pro-ject MC Step Up Box DS3 B and the Icon Audio MCTX.
There are still plenty of transformers on the market, but I’ve been wanting to try a balanced input transformer into my esoteric e-02 phono stage but either too expensive (audio technica at 4K) or unable to trial one if made in the USA.
I actually asked Andrew if he could make his signature transformer as a balanced model but unfortunately was unable to oblige.
The " Better way" is actually to switch to high res streaming WITH A GOOD DAC! and abandon all the turntable and pickup faff and fetishism which is required to compensate for vinyls crude mechanical fundamental nature and massive recording compression and just enjoy the convenience, robustness, accessibility, multi user capability, up to date massive choice, presentation of new artists music and new titles, the facility to explore new genres and unfamiliar artists at no extra cost or risk, portability and highest available quality of sound for childrens pocket money cost every month. But thats not going to persuade you is it? ( I see that VHS tapes are making a comeback. Maybe you should get into those again? They are so much more "Analogue" 😊)
Great lighting
If you had edited this video to start at 9mins, it would have so much more impact. I’m sure you’re an awesome person in real life, but the waffle and dull preamble (including drinking on camera) just kills the valuable content. I’m not the only one, right?
I note your point but its all part of the chatty friendly independent dealer image that Phil is trying to cultivate, and there is nothing wrong with that. Its not intended to come across as a slick corporate presentation.