Mike Reed
pfm Member
All of EARs phono stages use SUTs Mike!
I'm aware of that, Graham, having recently had one replaced. I thought that all/most valved stages required SUTs, but maybe not.
All of EARs phono stages use SUTs Mike!
I'm aware of that, Graham, having recently had one replaced. I thought that all/most valved stages required SUTs, but maybe not.
F.w.i.w., I have a Urushi Vermillion (lower output). Both that, a Benz Ebony and T. Proteus sing through my EAR 912 pre., which I believe has the trannies and performance not far short of EAR's top SUT. I've never been into SUTs, relying instead on previous s/s stages. I wonder if the extra cost, complexity and interconnectivity of SUTs is such a viable route these days.
The m/c stages of EAR's pre's are generally considered to be excellent, and it may be that others, and SUTs, just offer a different flavour rather than out and out s.q. improvement. Just a sceptical thought !
A SUT can be used into a solid-state or a valve/tube MM phono stage to provide the extra MC gain required to bring it up to the same level as an MM cartridge.
Koetsu Rosewood Red K Sig
Thanks well it does seem to be the older version from provenance conversation with seller so all good, I’ll be interested to see if Koetsu in Japan have designated it in writing on it’s return from rebuilding.I think Rosewood was the older appellation (Sugano San), but now is called the Red K Sig. It's either/or, but not 'Rosewood Red I read once that the Red K Sig. is simply the Red (or Rosewood) T, but selected for closer matching and consequent better s.q. Both of these, with the Black Goldline, have healthy 0.5 mV to 0.6mV outputs, though Urushis and stone-bodied Ks etc. have lower outputs, with the Vermillion having the lowest.
My understanding was Koetsu will put a new generator into your aged rosewood body. One reason I chose Goldring to rebuild mine. No complaints but I do wonder how it compares to an original?
I have a very old but healthy Koetsu Rosewood long body.Well, if it's a Koetsu rebuild, it's a Koetsu. The only caveat (and it's certainly not a negative) is that Sugano SON did subtly change the presentation of his father's creations; as all spec's remain the same, I wonder how. It is slightly controversial, with some ( died in the wool acolytes?) preferring the older, lusher effect and others thinking that it's a more modern take, but most certainly Koetsu. I tend to go for the latter view, though I've no experience of comparisons so it's simply received wisdom.
You should try a good one - I could suggest the EAR MC4 it is excellent. In my system is was a significant improvement over the internal transformers in the EAR Phonobox that I am auditioning. Another member of Stereonet in Australia also confirmed that when he tried the same combination it improved his sound.SUTs are a product of a bygone era, when high gain, low noise amplification was hard to come by.
They are essentially unnecessary today - an archaic product fulfilling a boutique niche - perhaps like a cartridge warmer products that came up in another thread.
I already own 5 phono stages with high gain and exceedingly low noise. Spending money on an alternative way to amplify MCs seems near pointless to me.You should try a good one - I could suggest the EAR MC4 it is excellent. In my system is was a significant improvement over the internal transformers in the EAR Phonobox that I am auditioning. Another member of Stereonet in Australia also confirmed that when he tried the same combination it improved his sound.
I don't know anything at all about cartridge warmers but SUTs can improve the sound in my experience and a good one is worth trying. A lot of people think vinyl is a product of a bygone era so perhaps a good SUT is a good match.
No problems here. Just doing some due diligence. I mean, that's what audio forums are for, are they not?
Koetsu Rosewood long body. It's a very energetic and dynamic cartridge at 100 Ohm loading.
I could suggest the EAR MC4 it is excellent.
At least I have a flavour of that superb SUT stage in my pre. but it is commensurately rather costly.
EAR MC4. They are made for EAR, not made by EAR...
Not valves but well regarded, Rothwell.
I’m currently using their MCL (RCM Sensor 2 phono stage) with my Zu-Denon 103 which gives a boost/focus to the sound. I’m hoping it will also work well with a Koetsu Rosewood Red K Sig currently being refurbished in Japan.
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/hi-fi.html
I am pretty sure my K is original...they don't go bad, except for a rare Technics carts with a weird rubber.As I said, I was going on (a lot of) received wisdom re. the sound of Sugano San's cart's. I guess that Longbody has been refurbished as it must be 30 ish years old. I'm aspiring toward the stone-bodied Ks but doubt that I'll ever jump that £4 gap !
In the eighties and nineties, there weren't too many upmarket coils around; Linn, Roksan, Benz etc. and Koetsu was a very different departure to the others around at that time, with the possible and dubious exception of the SPU. today's market is different, with more variety at both ends of the cost spectrum. Tonearms have also come on apace to accommodate these transducers.
It's sad that the finest cart. I've had is available no more; its design was different and it showed sonically. Transfiguration.
At least I have a flavour of that superb SUT stage in my pre. but it is commensurately rather costly.
Very very few manufacturers wind their own transformers.
I am pretty sure my K is original...they don't go bad,