Step Up!

Asamel

Well-Known Member
Jan 22, 2012
578
1
263
Philly
Any thoughts on step up transformers? I'm thinking of adding one to my system.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
What exactly to they do? I think I know, but I'd love to hear about it in more layman terms.
 

Peter Breuninger

[Industry Expert] Member Sponsor
Jul 20, 2010
1,231
4
0
I like the Ypsilons and my older Mitch Cotters. They give LOMCs more life and greater vividness.

Johnny... they step up or increase the output voltage of the cart. They should be considered for carts with less than .4mv outputs.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
8,570
51
38
Calgary, AB
I like the Ypsilons and my older Mitch Cotters. They give LOMCs more life and greater vividness.

Johnny... they step up or increase the output voltage of the cart. They should be considered for carts with less than .4mv outputs.

Thanks Peter! What effect does that increase in output have on the listening experience?
 

jfrech

VIP/Donor
Sep 3, 2012
2,149
744
1,160
Austin
I owned a EAR MC4, wish I'd never sold it. UltraAudio has a review on it

I"ve always been curious on the Ypsilon and the Intactaudio suts....
 

Joe Galbraith

Senior Member/Sponsor
Apr 22, 2010
214
0
0
www.arsetmusica.com
Any thoughts on step up transformers? I'm thinking of adding one to my system.

Allnic AUT2000 Excellent performer, great fit and finish. It has front panel adjustments to fine tune for your cart
 

kleinbje

Well-Known Member
Dec 20, 2012
181
24
923
CT
I'm currently using an Ear Mc4 with a Kleos Sl .25mv into a Lamm Lp2. Much better with the SUT, but there is the cable factor.
 

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
3,582
2,550
1,860
Sydney
I'm currently using an Ear Mc4 with a Kleos Sl .25mv into a Lamm Lp2. Much better with the SUT, but there is the cable factor.

Not sure I understand the comment. The Lamm LP2 has an internal Jensen SUT. All you are stating is you prefer the EAR SUT over the Jensen.
 

kleinbje

Well-Known Member
Dec 20, 2012
181
24
923
CT
Yes, The music has much more punch and drive. Deeper bass and a larger sound stage as well.
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
12,304
1,420
1,820
Manila, Philippines
Standard Lamm step up ratio is 1:9 on the LP2.x this may not be enough for some cartridges. .3mv is borderline for me. You can order an LP2.1 with the higher step up ratio from your dealer at no extra charge. If you don't say so at the start, you'll get the 1:9. :)

I sometimes use a Koetsu SUT for my Koetsu and a MY Sonic SUT for my Matsudaira designed carts.

My custom Valvet Soulphono has 2 x 1:10 and 1 x 1:20 SUT pairs. These are silver wired torroidials made in Germany and I believe also found in Tron's phono pre among others.

Yes I am a SUT kinda guy :D
 

DasguteOhr

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2013
2,318
2,468
595
Germany
Last edited:

jn229

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2012
112
3
925
Southwestern Ontario
Any thoughts on step up transformers? I'm thinking of adding one to my system.

If you have not tried a SUT and would like to experiment: the Bryston TF-1 sells used for $150 to $300, holds its value, and is built like a tank ( ships well). Truly not the last word in SUTs but good enough to introduce one to SUTs, educate a decision, all with a small investment.
 

Asamel

Well-Known Member
Jan 22, 2012
578
1
263
Philly
Has anyone tried to load their SUT? The Ypsilon lets you do this easily.
 

daytona600

Well-Known Member
Sep 9, 2012
721
151
955
scotland

Joe Galbraith

Senior Member/Sponsor
Apr 22, 2010
214
0
0
www.arsetmusica.com
Has anyone tried to load their SUT? The Ypsilon lets you do this easily.

My phono stage allows for adjustments of both load and gain via top mounted rotary switches. This is a blessing and a curse. Once you get your cart dialed in, you need to learn to fight the tweaking urge to try and get that last little bit of performance.
 

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