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STEP UP transformers ??

Having followed this forum for many years I value HIGHLY, the views,opinions,and experience of all who contribute regardless of how small a contribution.

My question regards stepup transformers in particular the Auditorium 23 and the BENT MU. Currently my front end consists of a VPI HW-19 Mk4,OL silver,Denon 103 in a panzerholz body.all running into a Audible Illusions M3a. I've sort of narrowed my choices down to these two SUT's.In fact I already spoke to the Aud 23 distributor in my area, what led me to this dead end is the price. For the price of an Aud 23 I could get the Bent MU, which from what I understand is entirely more flexible(variable loading,captured IC's etc) while the Aud 23 is very good it is made expressly for the DL one-oh-three, and maybe the Ortofon SPU.
I'm sure some say it's a no brainer get the 23 but I don't plan to stay with the Denon forever. I want to make this my last SUT purchase (maybe next to last) as my phonostage may need to get addressed within the next year.
So has anyone had an opportunity to cross reference these 2 excellent SUT's? Also I've heard Audio Note has an excellent pair of SUT's.
Any help would be advised.I know I am leaving out quite a bit of details but that's the long and short of it.
Thanks in advance for you Help
braab
braab8

Showing 1 response by palasr

palasr
516 posts
 
I have a pair of the original copper Bent/S&B TX-103s which I had used prior to getting my K&K phono stage from Kevin. The K&K uses the new Lundahl LL1931 SUT, and can be wired for 1:8 or 1:12, kind of "in between" the standard 1:10. The Bent can be wired for 1:5, 1:10 or 1:20. Running direct into the K&K's MC input vs. into the MM input with the Bent's in line is quite illuminating. I'd say the Bent's sound excellent, perhaps just a bit of mid-bass bloom, and just a bit veiled on the top-end, but this may be the byproduct of having another set of connectors in the chain (which has an easily audible impact). The Lundahls in the K&K are a bit more immediate sounding, and have a real sense of cohesiveness throughout the entire frequency range, with a bigger sound than the Bent SUTs. I have to go back and look again, but I think Kevin loads the primary on the Lundahl, where on the Bent the secondary is loaded. Two very different ways to approach the probelm, and one that I'd like to listen more closely to. Good listening.

-Richard
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