Popularity of a step-up transformer?

[Salectric]

Very nice looking phono stage!

 

[Emilzebira]

The Cotter is a musical force, I still love it. The Technics impressed me back then with its airy, powerful sound. When John, a friend of mine, came around the corner in 2008 with Silvercore and said, "Listen to this with the Dynavector XV 1s," it was done. I've never used any other transformers again. It's so much better. It's hard to describe the dynamics and openness. It's like a window has been opened in the music. I heard things I've never heard before. Compliments to Christof Kraus. Very, very well done. All mine diy phonostages use silvercore suts.View attachment 153387

I'm very interested..I'm looking for a sut that will make my Dynavector XV-1s sound great..could you tell me about your experience with the xv1-s and the various suts...which silvercore transformers do you use..? which model are they..? thank you very much

 

[DasguteOhr]

I'm very interested..I'm looking for a sut that will make my Dynavector XV-1s sound great..could you tell me about your experience with the xv1-s and the various suts...which silvercore transformers do you use..? which model are they..? thank you very much

Back then we had the Ortofon T 100 and the Kiseiki MCT 1 for comparison, both are pure silverwire SUTS. The model is called Silvercore MC Pro 1:20, bought back then for €1.7k, but today it's unfortunately much more expensive with a nicer cabinet. The XV 1s has a bit too much meat in the fundamental tone of 150-400hz. But that makes it fatter, especially when you have deeper male voices on the recording. I have to say right away: if you particularly like that, the Silvercore is the wrong product. It cleanses up the entire sound. It plays more dynamically and balanced across the entire frequency range without tipping into analytically sterile territory. Back then I used Dynavector with the setting 1.96 g VTF and anti-skating~ 0.4-0.5 g, measured at LP height.
Ask here

MC – Silvercore

out of stock on homepage

 

[DasguteOhr]

Very nice looking phono stage!

Thanks,Its a dual mono phono/ line stage

 

[mtemur]

Back then I used Dynavector with the setting 1.96 g VTF and anti-skating~ 0.4-0.5 g, measured at LP height.

Normally it (anti-skating) should be around 0.18-0.23g if you’re measuring laterally. 0.4-0.5g is too much.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Normally it (anti-skating) should be around 0.18-0.23g if you’re measuring laterally. 0.4-0.5g is too much.

This is an estimate from me I adjust it by ear. Sounds good, that's important.
I don't make rocket science out of it. Screw complete out=0

 

[mtemur]

This is an estimate from me I adjust it by ear. Sounds good, that's important.
I don't make rocket science out of it. Screw complete out=0

I think it’s better if it’s been rocket science cause almost all areas are laid out properly. Cartridge setup and particularly anti-skating contains more uncertainties in my opinion.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I think it’s better if it’s been rocket science cause almost all areas are laid out properly. Cartridge setup and particularly anti-skating contains more uncertainties in my opinion.

The procedure takes 30 minutes. Determine the mounting distance. Insert a 1.5mm Allen key through the hole in the Raven 10.5 headshell onto the Thorens spindle. Set the VTA parallel to the platter with LP, VTA 90% of the manufacturer's recommendation. Then, at the zero points of the arm, align the cartridge with the cantilever. Ready for listing. Adjust the VTA and anti-skating by ear.
Photos step by step
Mounting distance

VTA , Azimuth & settings geometricaly zeopoints( zoom in) of tonearm









Vtf from known cartridge ,unknown by ear start at 90%

So far, no one has complained when I installed and adjusted the cartridge or heard my system at home.easy install with a tw 10.5 tonearm thats why i love the tonearm.

P.S
The VTF can be adjusted according to the cartridge output voltage. Only when the cantilever is in the vertical middle position (coilscross) does the maximum output voltage occur. A true RMS millivoltmeter and a 1 kHz test tone are required.

 

[GaryMB]

I do own both.

The Technics provides turn ratios of 1:10, 1:16 and 1:40 what let the cartridge see 470Ω, 184Ω or 29Ω. The Cotter/ Verion MK1 can be configured for various turn ratios with 1:20 (cartridge sees 118Ω) beeing the most common setup.

Consequently they need different cartridges to show what´s really in them.

I just joined this forum to say that you are my hero sir! I have owned an SH-305MC since ordering it directly from Japan in 1982 and have never seen reliable information about its step-up ratios, despite numerous attempts (every few years) to find something. I just happened to do another search earlier today, expecting to find nothing as usual, and was led to your post from just a few days ago.

I must say the ratios you describe are close to what I suspected but it’s still wonderful to see them in print. Respectfully, how did you obtain this information?

 

[Don_Camillo]

I found this information at Vinylengine many years ago

 

[GaryMB]

I found this information at Vinylengine many years ago

I just did a search there now and couldn’t find anything specific (apart from other posters asking for similar information) but I guess I’ll take your word for it.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I just did a search there now and couldn’t find anything specific (apart from other posters asking for similar information) but I guess I’ll take your word for it.

Ask Hifi Wikipedia

Technics SH-305 MC | Hifi-Wiki

www.hifi-wiki.de

 

[GaryMB]

Ask Hifi Wikipedia

Technics SH-305 MC | Hifi-Wiki

www.hifi-wiki.de

Thank you! For some reason I wasn’t notified of your reply yesterday. I did the math based on the information on that site. The results don’t quite jibe with Don_Camillo’s figures but are within ~ 3 dB for each of the 3 gain settings which is probably close enough in practice.

 

[Anton D]

I like switching cartridges in and out, so it's hard thinking of any one unit, but I came across this Zesto 'adjustable" SUT?

Anybody with experience?

Andros Allasso Step Up Transformer | Zesto Audio

www.zestoaudio.com

 

[Salectric]

I have no experience with the Zesto but in principle I am opposed to switching especially for such low voltages like MC cartridges. Plus, at that price level I would prefer a well-established SUT like Dave Slagle’s transformers.

 

[Don_Camillo]

I like switching cartridges in and out, so it's hard thinking of any one unit, but I came across this Zesto 'adjustable" SUT?

Anybody with experience?

Andros Allasso Step Up Transformer | Zesto Audio

www.zestoaudio.com

Adjustable load is achieved by parallel resistors with the secondary winding what actually is a good idea but turn ratios are unconventional. I´d rather expect 1:20 or even higher turn ratio for low output, low impedance MCs to make them sing even when combined with adjustable load functionality.

 

[shakti]

very often I have the discussion, which step might fit the best for a dedicated cartridge and if a used step up
from manufacturer xyz would do it as well.

So I like to share a list of step ups with their base data in terms of gain, ratio and recommended cartridge coil resistance:

(this list can be used as well for new step ups, as long you know ratio or gain of the step up)

Manufacturer Model Gain(db) X Factor Natural Impedance Recommended Impedance Ortofon T5 26 20,0 118,1 3-40 ohms T10 32 39,8 29,7 2-4 ohms T10 MK2 28 25,1 74,5 2-6 ohms T20 32 39,8 29,7 2-4 ohms T20MKII 28 25,1 74,5 2-6 ohms SPU-T100 26 20,0 118,1 1-6 ohms T1000 26 20,0 118,1 2-6 ohms T2000 35 56,2 14,9 3 T3000 30 31,6 47,0 2-10 ohms Fidelity Research FRT-4 31 35,5 37,3 3 26 20,0 118,1 10 25 17,8 148,6 30 20 10,0 470,0 100 FR XF-1 30 31,6 47,0 4-18 ohms FRT-3 26 20,0 118,1 30 31 35,5 37,3 10 XG5 34 50,1 18,7 < 3 ohms 26 20,0 118,1 3-18 ohms 22 12,6 296,5 18-40 X1-M 30 31,6 47,0 4-18 ohms X1-H 25 17,8 148,6 19-40 ohms X1-L 36 63,1 11,8 3 Denon AU 320 31,1 36 36 3 20,0 10 470 40 AU 340 30,4 33 43 3 20,0 10 470 40 AU310 20,0 10 470 40 AUS1 22,3 13 278 3-40 ohms AU300LC 20,0 10 470 40 Audio Technica AT700T 34 50,1 18,7 3 26 20,0 118,1 20 23 14,1 235,6 40 EAR MC4 29,5 30 52,2 3 27,6 24 81,6 6 25,1 18 145,1 12 20,0 10 470,0 40 MC3 29,5 30 52 4 26,0 20 118 12 20,0 10 470 40 Supex SDT 3300 28,5 26,6 66,4 2-10 ohms Bryston TF1 22,5 13,3 264,3 5-35 ohms 16,5 6,7 1052,2 40-250 ohms Nakamichi MCB100 26,0 20 117,5 2-20 ohms Sony HA-T110 26 20 117,5 3 - 40 ohms

 

[Sampajanna]

If you use a step-up transformer do you then have to use the MM input of the phono preamp?

 

[shakti]

If you use a step-up transformer do you then have to use the MM input of the phono preamp?

yes

 

[Don_Camillo]

very often I have the discussion, which step might fit the best for a dedicated cartridge and if a used step up
from manufacturer xyz would do it as well.

So I like to share a list of step ups with their base data in terms of gain, ratio and recommended cartridge coil resistance:

(this list can be used as well for new step ups, as long you know ratio or gain of the step up)

Manufacturer Model Gain(db) X Factor Natural Impedance Recommended Impedance Ortofon T5 26 20,0 118,1 3-40 ohms T10 32 39,8 29,7 2-4 ohms T10 MK2 28 25,1 74,5 2-6 ohms T20 32 39,8 29,7 2-4 ohms T20MKII 28 25,1 74,5 2-6 ohms SPU-T100 26 20,0 118,1 1-6 ohms T1000 26 20,0 118,1 2-6 ohms T2000 35 56,2 14,9 3 T3000 30 31,6 47,0 2-10 ohms Fidelity Research FRT-4 31 35,5 37,3 3 26 20,0 118,1 10 25 17,8 148,6 30 20 10,0 470,0 100 FR XF-1 30 31,6 47,0 4-18 ohms FRT-3 26 20,0 118,1 30 31 35,5 37,3 10 XG5 34 50,1 18,7 < 3 ohms 26 20,0 118,1 3-18 ohms 22 12,6 296,5 18-40 X1-M 30 31,6 47,0 4-18 ohms X1-H 25 17,8 148,6 19-40 ohms X1-L 36 63,1 11,8 3 Denon AU 320 31,1 36 36 3 20,0 10 470 40 AU 340 30,4 33 43 3 20,0 10 470 40 AU310 20,0 10 470 40 AUS1 22,3 13 278 3-40 ohms AU300LC 20,0 10 470 40 Audio Technica AT700T 34 50,1 18,7 3 26 20,0 118,1 20 23 14,1 235,6 40 EAR MC4 29,5 30 52,2 3 27,6 24 81,6 6 25,1 18 145,1 12 20,0 10 470,0 40 MC3 29,5 30 52 4 26,0 20 118 12 20,0 10 470 40 Supex SDT 3300 28,5 26,6 66,4 2-10 ohms Bryston TF1 22,5 13,3 264,3 5-35 ohms 16,5 6,7 1052,2 40-250 ohms Nakamichi MCB100 26,0 20 117,5 2-20 ohms Sony HA-T110 26 20 117,5 3 - 40 ohms

I´ve shared these kind of data for more vintage SUTs combined with calculations for parallel resistors on secondary windings for adjustable load with a google table already many times before

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VMHtDjSLtKuNmwxJt5XflbUEY5MawchCEF-fVoY4oeM/edit?usp=sharing