SUT vs. Phono preamp


On what basis is  the decision to chose  a SUT vs. a phonostage made?
boofer

Showing 6 responses by fleschler

I have been using the Audio Interface (40 ohm) SUT for 35 years.  It has excellent Jensen transformers made in my hometown-Chatsworth, CA.  I use a resistor to achieve 220 ohm impedance match to my Benz Ruby 3.  The exact replacement for it is the ISO-MAX built by Jensen at $550 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Moving-Coil-Phono-Step-Up-Transformer-SUT-Jensen-Transformers-ISO-MAX-MC-2RR-L/401334303038?hash=item5d7163793e:g:eFQAAOSwLJ9Z-imM
If one can afford or has multiple MC cartridges, the Zesto Andros Allaso is also an excellent choice using Jensen transformers at $3000.   It has 10 impedance settings and 4 gain settings equivalent to 40 total settings.   https://www.zestoaudio.com/andros-allasso-step-up-transformer-mc-to-mm-extremely-versatile/
@rauliruegass I spoke to Upscale Audio who sells the Zesto and he assured me that there are no switches in the impedance changes, they are all done using different taps on the transformers.

Yes, my next cartridge (which maybe the top of the line Benz) will probably have a Zesto SUT to accompany it.
I own an EAR 324 phono pre-amp which has transformer settings of 4, 15 and 40 ohms and 3 gain settings.  I struggled for a year to achieve the correct sound for my Benz Ruby 3.  It was either too bright and thin or too dull and heavy sounding. 

My cable manufacturer friend told me to just use a resistor at 220 ohm on an Audio Interface L40.  That is the perfect setting for the cartridge.  The Zesto has four settings within 10 ohms of 220 ohms including 220.  It has the widest range using nearly identical Jensen transformers.  I have not heard anyone claiming the Zesto SUT isn't superb.  

Does anyone know that the Zesto is inferior to the Ortofon or Denon or my Audio Interface?  
The ISO-MAX Jensen SUT should be nearly identical to the Audio Interface (and is easier to use with the front and rear separation for input and output).  It is very reasonably priced if it is the same transformers.
Yes, Benz cartridges are not known to be SUT happy and prefer phono stages that can increase output without transformers.   However, in my case, the Audio Interface is an ideal match for an SUT.   My cable maufacturing friend built a low noise, subminiature tube step up but we couldn't get the impedance just right through changing of resistors.  It still had substantially more noise than I wanted to live with.  
I have auditioned a home-made (not by me) Sowter SUT which sounded very dynamic but could not achieve the correct tonal balance.  It couldn't have been an impedance mismatch as it was rated at 220 ohms the same as my current Audio Interface.  Something else apparently.