Are their any differences in sound quality? Certainly.
Which is the better choice? It depends on your budget and sonic priorities.
I own a PV-11A and a pair of Bent Audio (S&B TX-103, copper) transformers. For the money they do remarkably well, though with SUT's it is critical to get impedance loading exactly right. This requires in-system experimentation with combinations of resistors. Don't expect optimum results from plug 'n' play.
I also own a world class active MC/MM/line preamp (Nick Doshi Alaap) which easily outclasses the c-j/Bent pair. The MC stage uses FET's and it has enough gain for the lowest of LOMC's. The MM and line stages are all tube, so that both raises and answers Viridian's question.
Why did Nick choose FET's for MC gain? Because in his circuit they provide cleaner, quieter low level gain than tubes without the ultrasonic ringing and bloat common to transformers. In the end, it's as much about implementation as it is about theory. Every gain device has strengths and weaknesses. It's the skill of the designer that makes it work, or not.
If you're on a practical budget a PV-10A with a good tranny is a real winner. The S&B's are one good choice, especially with the silver wire, and there are others. If budget's not a concern it's possible to beat trannies with (some) active gain stages, but it takes a major expenditure and the rest of the system needs to be able to take advantage.
Which is the better choice? It depends on your budget and sonic priorities.
I own a PV-11A and a pair of Bent Audio (S&B TX-103, copper) transformers. For the money they do remarkably well, though with SUT's it is critical to get impedance loading exactly right. This requires in-system experimentation with combinations of resistors. Don't expect optimum results from plug 'n' play.
I also own a world class active MC/MM/line preamp (Nick Doshi Alaap) which easily outclasses the c-j/Bent pair. The MC stage uses FET's and it has enough gain for the lowest of LOMC's. The MM and line stages are all tube, so that both raises and answers Viridian's question.
Why did Nick choose FET's for MC gain? Because in his circuit they provide cleaner, quieter low level gain than tubes without the ultrasonic ringing and bloat common to transformers. In the end, it's as much about implementation as it is about theory. Every gain device has strengths and weaknesses. It's the skill of the designer that makes it work, or not.
If you're on a practical budget a PV-10A with a good tranny is a real winner. The S&B's are one good choice, especially with the silver wire, and there are others. If budget's not a concern it's possible to beat trannies with (some) active gain stages, but it takes a major expenditure and the rest of the system needs to be able to take advantage.