Elliot, the OP already owns and uses a phono stage (PH9) that develops 58db of phono gain. He also owns an AR linestage L28SE that develops an additional 12.5db of gain. If he feeds those components with the output of that SUT set at +12db, those 1.6mV become ~5.3V, enough to overload many amplifiers and way more than needed to drive nearly any conventional amplifier to full output. (Most require 1V or less. A few require 1-2V.) Even without any SUT, the linestage will put out ~1.3V, if the phono stage is fed with the pure unadulterated 0.4V output of his cartridge, again more than enough most likely. I thought this was a settled issue. He reports overload with a 1:10 SUT already. You seem to want him to buy both a SUT and a new phono stage. That’s up to him. He has not reported back on whether he has tried the no SUT approach.
Recommandation for 1:6 1:8 SUT under $5K?
I’m looking for some advice on a step-up transformer that pairs well with my Audio Research LS28SE, PH9, and Hana Umami Blue cartridge. I currently have both the Denon AU-S1 and AU-340. The AU-S1 sounds absolutely beautiful—very transparent and open—but at 1:13 the gain is too high, and I’m getting some clipping, especially on dynamic peaks. Even with the AU-340 at 1:10, I can still hear a bit of overload. I’ve tried playing with loading and parallel resistors, but the issue really comes down to gain. I think something in the 1:6 to 1:8 range would be perfect, enough to keep the clarity and tone I’m getting from the AU-S1 but with better headroom. My budget is around $5k, and I’m open to any recommendations for a high-quality SUT?
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@arazmj I am aware your new to the forum with this Thread OP as your first post. I have followed the Umami Blue Cart' and all I have read (not experienced) suggests the sonic traits produced by the Cart' leans towards what I like to hear as an End Sound. As we seemingly are Wed to a particular sonic produced from a Cart', I would like to share I have expressed a long term interest in SUT's as well as Head Amp's. I would also suggest spending on big ticket items is not going to guarantee a experience that is extremely impressive. From my experiences where extremely impressive can be found, is when Cart'>SUT matching is optimised, the 'X' Factor has been experienced as Jaw Dropping Good. My most recent experience of this occurring, and from recollections the most impressive experience I have had using a SUT, has been when the brand Sculpture A was being demonstrated with both Copper and Silver Coils, and the Copper was purpose wound to match the Cart' in use. Not that I can prove it from subjective evaluation, but I believe Sculpture A Tranx Design which is utilising nano-crystalline toroidal cores instead of EI cores, has been a substantial factor in contributing to the End Sound that created such a good impression. If this is to be challenged then so be it. An individual known as Zsolt Bodnar is the independent designer / producer of the Coil Windings for the Sculpture A products. I know an individual in the UK who has their own SUT Tranx's bespoke produced by Zsolt. When my own circumstances allow for me to become fully focused on the Analogue Source, I intend on discussing my interest in what is achievable with Zsolt designs directly. Making a contact yourself with Zsolt may prove to be an acceptably affordable way to get a SUT that meets your requirement, I suspect a additional Cart' can be considered from your $5K budget with the saving made. |
lewm OP thinks x factor 6 or 8 is what he needs the specs of the AR PH9 https://audioresearch.com/new_website/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PH9-Manual-O.pdf indicate it has 55db of gain, however, it limits it’s output somehow to 0.5V Frequency Response: ±.2 dB of RIAA, 5 Hz to 20kHz; 1 dB points below 0.3Hz and above 80 kHz. Distortion: Less than .015% at 3V RMS 1kHz output. Gain: 55 dB at 1 kHz Input Impedance: Selectable loads: 47k, 1000, 500, 200, 100 Ohms. Output Impedance: 200 ohms. Recommended load 50k-100k Ohms and 100 pF. (10k Ohms minimum and 2000 pF maximum). Output Polarity: Non-inverting. Maximum Input: 80 mV RMS at 1kHz. Rated Outputs: 0.5V RMS 10 Hz to 60 kHz, into 100K ohm load (maximum balanced output capability is 0.46V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz). (if both true, how can you overload it?) So just about any SUT into the AR PH9 should work ................................. Perhaps OP thinks the overloading/distortion is occurring within the SUT's transformer, and thus the AR-PH9 is starting with a distorted signal. |
another option, works with ANY cartridge, internal dip switches https://www.ebay.com/itm/284725780254 https://www.dynavector.com/pdf/P75_mk3_emanual_%20r2v0_a4.pdf https://audiofi.net/2016/07/dynavector-p75-mk3-phono-pleasures/
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