Interesting SUT

[guest147]

Gents,
As one or two of you may have seen I have been looking at changing my phono stage as I want to be able to use my Denon DL-103 and my T8 is not suitable. There has been mention of using a SUT which interested me as the zero noise induced into the line is a very attractive idea. I have read quite a number of articles about these devices now but in my search came across Fidelity Designs Ltd who appear to be a one man band and very Rega friendly, so others may benefit from checking his site out.
Anyway, to get back on topic, he has MC TR01 moving coil transformer on his site retailing at £120 which looks a bargain but I wonder has anyone tried it?

 

[rothwellaudio]

There has been mention of using a SUT which interested me as the zero noise induced into the line is a very attractive idea.

You can get very low noise when using a SUT but the "zero noise" idea is mistaken. The transformer's windings have resistance and that resistance produces Johnson noise. It's low, but it's there. Still, in practical terms you'll get very low hiss with a SUT.
On the other hand, hum can be problem. The good news is that carefully siting the transformer so it doesn't pick up hum from nearby mains transformers is usually enough to ensure practically hum-free performance.

Anyway, to get back on topic, he has MC TR01 moving coil transformer on his site retailing at £120 which looks a bargain but I wonder has anyone tried it?

That does indeed look like a bargain.

 

[guest147]

OK I stand corrected and thanks for the info
However, compared to a bunch of electrons....... or holes charging around a Chinese phono amp curcuit it would be pretty minimal I guess. Yes I imagine like most gear placement is critical but thanks for pointing it out.
While I am striving for the best sounding system I can afford, careful choice of equipment is needed. The obvious would be a Denon AU-300LC which is designed to work with the Denon DL103 but I am wondering are there better buys for the same kind of money and I am willing to look, wait and choose carefully. The MC TR01 might suit.

 

[rothwellaudio]

However, compared to a bunch of electrons....... or holes charging around a Chinese phono amp curcuit it would be pretty minimal I guess.

Yes, hiss should be very low when using a SUT.

Yes I imagine like most gear placement is critical but thanks for pointing it out.

SUTs are a lot more sensitive to placement than probably any other piece of audio gear. They're followed by the phono amplifier with about 40dB gain in the midrange, but the low frequencies get more like 60dB gain due to the RIAA eq, and that really magnifies any hum picked up by the transformer.

While I am striving for the best sounding system I can afford, careful choice of equipment is needed. The obvious would be a Denon AU-300LC which is designed to work with the Denon DL103 but I am wondering are there better buys for the same kind of money and I am willing to look, wait and choose carefully. The MC TR01 might suit.

Yes, used Denon AU-300LCs can be found at a reasonable cost and would work well with your cartridge.
The Rothwell MC1 is also suitable and is one of the more affordable SUTs on the market.
It's available from Analogue Seduction in the UK, as well as other retailers.
https://www.analogueseduction.net/p...rothwell-moving-coil-step-up-transformer.html

 

[guest147]

 

[ripblade]

That does indeed look like a bargain.

Yes it does. The kit box and adhesive labels undoubtedly contribute to the low price. Where sound quality matters most, this should be at the top of anyone's list.

The ground connection options seem a little over the top...I don't think I've ever seen a SUT with this degree of flexibility. I would rather it had loading/gain options and/or a bypass feature instead, which is what one would normally see.