SUT into MM input section of Solid State Phono Stage


Hello,

I was wondering if any of you have experimented with using your Step Up Transformer into the moving magnet section of your solid state phono stage?

If so...

what was the step up ratio you used?
what was the mV output of the cartridge you used?
which solid state phono stage did you use?
did you find that the SUT into the MM section sounded better than just using the moving coil input without an SUT?

I ask because I just experimented with using my Tango SUT into the MM section of my solid state Forte FP-1 and have found that I prefer that over just using the MC section of the Forte.

Best Wishes,
Don
no_regrets

Showing 2 responses by no_regrets

Hello and thank you for all of the replies thus far.
Unfortunately I think I may not have been  clear in my original post and I’m truly sorry for the confusion.
My Hirata Tango at 1:8 step up ratio is a great match for my Zebra Wood Benz Ruby ZH that has a .7 mV output and 38 ohm internal impedance. That should give me about 18 dB and present a load of roughly 738 ohms if I remember correctly,  which sounds great!
I was just curious if any of you had tried doing this into a solid state phono and if it sounded better than using the mc section which in solid state phono’s often use an active gain of fet/bipolar transitors, etc instead of SUT’s.
Thanks much and best wishes,
Don
Yes, I know that my Forte is not a State of the Art phono stage.  I had bought it to be used just as a backup for my main phono stage.  I never thought of the Forte as being bad, but I was certainly cognizant that there are much better available.

However, when I hooked up my Tango SUT to the moving magnet section, I was simply amazed at how much nicer this combo sounded than simply using the MC section on it's own.  What an incredible difference!  It still doesn't compete with my Tango/Artemis Labs Ph-1 tubed phono combo, but man... I have to say I was shocked.

So this experiment just made me wonder if anyone here has tried it themselves (using your SUT into a solid state phono).... you might be surprised at what you hear.

I think most people probably use their SUT into the moving magnet section of their tubed phono I as do.  Anyhow, was just wondering.

Best Wishes,
Don