Step Up Transformer

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Gary, Mar 25, 2002.

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  1. Gary

    Gary Nauga Gort! Staff Thread Starter

    Location:
    Toronto
    I'm thinking of tweaking my Rega and one of the things that I want to do is move up into a Moving Coil cartridge.

    I will be plugging this into Phono 2 (my Ariston RD11 stays in Phono 1 as an original, untweaked antique). So, as I understand it, I need a step up transformer, not a phono pre amp.

    Any recommendations out there? New stuff? Antique stuff? I came across an old transformer called "The Head" by a famous British audiophile designer type guy (sorry, I have no idea what the guys name is. Three names.........).

    Thanks!
     
  2. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    What! No allocated MM/MC jacks on your pre-amp Gary?:rolleyes:
     
  3. Gary

    Gary Nauga Gort! Staff Thread Starter

    Location:
    Toronto
    Actually, yes, I do! The HK preamp has the MC capability. Remember I told you that I was impressed - and suprised - with the sonics of the HK preamp? But I prefer to keep everything attached to the McIntosh system - at this point, at least! .

    Another possibility is to attach the HK pre to the Twin input of the MC240 amp, keep the McIntosh MX110 tuner/pre to the Stereo inputs and - of course - the MC TT to the HK preamp.

    So I'll have 2 preamps to 1 amp.

    'Phew! :cool:
     
  4. mazort

    mazort New Member

    Location:
    San Antone
    Step up xfmr

    Try the Audio Note AN-S2. Reviewed favorably in Listener. Available at very good prices through Michael Wharton [email protected]. He is a US disributor.
     
  5. Ronald

    Ronald Senior Member

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    If you could be persuaded to make your own MC transformer step up, not difficult to do apparently, traipse over to Jensen Transformers . They have a few suggestions. Prices on the tranformers vary from $78.00 for the JT-34K-DPC to $229. for the JT-346-AX. You can save yourself about $1500.00 by making one (or a few to experiment with) yourself. Jensen makes audiophile quality transformers. They are suppliers to companies such as Jeff Rowland Design Group, Audio Research and VAC.

    VAC... sounds familiar.

    If you are put off by the DIY, at least take a look at the site for a description of how transformers work.

    Get the RCA connections at Markertek.com . There are some reasonably priced, well made cables there (Canare connectors).

    Some people will make their own transformers to be able to use a passive preamp (no active gain) to keep it all free of distortions inevitably introduced by active gain stages.

    KAB makes an active stage gain for MC cartridges, the KAB Pre-MC, that provides about 20 dB of gain. This should be good enough to use for any MM phono stage. The price is about $150.
     
  6. Gary

    Gary Nauga Gort! Staff Thread Starter

    Location:
    Toronto
    Thank you, Ronald!

    This looks interesting, I must say. I know a place that will upgrade my output stage in my CD player but - of course - they won't give me any details. This could be the start of something interesting!

    Thanks again! :)
     
  7. Ronald

    Ronald Senior Member

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Happy to oblige. BTW, if you have ever ventured in to the audio asylum forums, many posters are in love with the Jensen Iso-Max audio isolators. You hook them up between the preamp and amp or between any component output and a preamp or receiver.

    The "Absolute Sound" gave the DM2-2RR one of the strongest recommendations I have ever seen in the magazine. The frequency response with the DM2-2RR is supposed to be unaffected by long cable runs and the transformer will eliminate any noises brought about by AC hum or stray RFI. In the past, it was thought transformers would cut into the upper frequencies (10k and upward) but that no longer seems to be the case. I haven't bought one yet, but people seem to love them. If anyone here has an opinion, please chime in.
     
  8. kim kerwin

    kim kerwin New Member

    Location:
    Agoura Hills, Ca
    step-up transformer

    Hi everybody, I'm new to your forum. I've been using a EAR unit that works really well. It has 3 differnt inputs so it gives you the flexability of using different cartridges. It's important to match both up to get the best results
     
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