SUT Shootout

[Johan K]

Agree with above. I've tried over a dozen different SUTs in just the last 2 - 3 yrs and some ok and others GREAT. ANJ-Kondo have been very good but Audio Note UK not anywhere the sound quality of ANJ. One of my favorites was S.A. Labs (out of Russia) had 3 different units my favorite was their K-25. Beautiful sounding. Koetsu was another recent purchase and again just wonderful. Tried a MSL SUT with my MSL Sig Platinum and while good an Airtight worked much better. Actually the Airtight is now a keeper. Has worked well with several different cartridges.
Lots of choices ....good luck in your own quest.

The AirTight ATH-2 Reference is a keeper for me. Love the sound and punch from it !

/ Jk

 

[paul79]

If one has a low impedance MC cart, maybe consider the Sutherland SUTZ as a step up alternative. It is superlative IME.

SUTZ

What is a SUTZ and who needs it? The Sutherland SUTZ is a very special analog product that uses transimpedance to raise the output of your low-output, low-impedance moving coil cartridge to the lev…

sutherlandengineering.com

 

[miniguy]

If one has a low impedance MC cart, maybe consider the Sutherland SUTZ as a step up alternative. It is superlative IME.

SUTZ

What is a SUTZ and who needs it? The Sutherland SUTZ is a very special analog product that uses transimpedance to raise the output of your low-output, low-impedance moving coil cartridge to the lev…

sutherlandengineering.com

Or this more inexpensive product:

[Listening test] The Audiofiles Tippi - A pre-phono-pre-amplifier

A phono-pre-preamp with current gain, the Audiofiles Tippi, a review on TNT-Audio by Mark Wheeler, Internet HiFi magazine, www.tnt-audio.com

www.tnt-audio.com

 

[paul79]

Or this more inexpensive product:

[Listening test] The Audiofiles Tippi - A pre-phono-pre-amplifier

A phono-pre-preamp with current gain, the Audiofiles Tippi, a review on TNT-Audio by Mark Wheeler, Internet HiFi magazine, www.tnt-audio.com

www.tnt-audio.com

Cool. We did trials before the release of the SUTZ. Ron designed a battery version, smaller version, etc. They all worked well, however, the extremely well crafted linear supply and the discoveries from the Dos Locos transimpedance input stage make the SUTZ pretty special and decided the best offering from Ron. It is not to be considered an overpriced transimpedance step up. It is tested, evaluated, carefully chosen parts and layout for best sound.

 

[wbass]

If you think that one is really good, you should hear the ATH-2 Ref

not correct regarding the ATH-2 models. They use Hashimoto transformers.

@miniguy Just a quick follow up on this. I'm surprised the ATH-2 SUTs use Hashimoto rather than Tamura transformers, as Air Tight seems to use Tam for most everything else. Just wondering if you had any more info on this, and perhaps know which Hashimoto transformers they use. I'm most curious about the ATH-2 Reference and what might be inside that box. Cheers!

 

[miniguy]

@miniguy Just a quick follow up on this. I'm surprised the ATH-2 SUTs use Hashimoto rather than Tamura transformers, as Air Tight seems to use Tam for most everything else. Just wondering if you had any more info on this, and perhaps know which Hashimoto transformers they use. I'm most curious about the ATH-2 Reference and what might be inside that box. Cheers!

ATH-2 Ref uses HM-7. Also notice the ATM-1 amp uses Hashimoto output transformers.

 

[wbass]

ATH-2 Ref uses HM-7. Also notice the ATM-1 amp uses Hashimoto output transformers.

Thanks for that. I believe the HM-7 is Hashimoto's flagship SUT and is well regarded generally. I priced out a SUT using the HM-7 from a maker in Michigan, the Live! MC SUTs, and was quoted around $1700 (in 2020). Air Tight definitely puts their own premium on them, then, but I suppose the ATH-2 Ref gives you three inputs, and presumably the wiring and switches are quality.

As it stands, I picked up one recently secondhand, and it's a really well built box. So much so I'm (idly) contemplating an Air Tight pre/power combo. I look forward to shooting the ATH-2 Ref out with an EM/IA silver, a SilverCore Reference, and a fonoLab SUT built around Tamura transformers.

 

[miniguy]

Thanks for that. I believe the HM-7 is Hashimoto's flagship SUT and is well regarded generally. I priced out a SUT using the HM-7 from a maker in Michigan, the Live! MC SUTs, and was quoted around $1700 (in 2020). Air Tight definitely puts their own premium on them, then, but I suppose the ATH-2 Ref gives you three inputs, and presumably the wiring and switches are quality.

As it stands, I picked up one recently secondhand, and it's a really well built box. So much so I'm (idly) contemplating an Air Tight pre/power combo. I look forward to shooting the ATH-2 Ref out with a EM/IA silver, a SilverCore Reference, and a fonoLab SUT built around Tamura transformers.

I look forward to your comparison results.