Alternative to a SUT

[wspohn]

I was having hum issues with the step up transformer in my third system and although the transformer was very subject to hum with small positional movement, a friend recommended an alternative to me. It was cheap, effective and I can detect no negative effect on sound.

It is a Hagerman Piccolo-2 head amp. Cheap ($289) with variable cartridge loading and gain (up to 26 dB. I figured that it couldn't do much at that price but I was wrong!

If you are having issues with a transformer, give it a look - https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopif...olo2-mc-preamp

This is on a system using a Lyra Clavis into a CJ Premier 15 phono stage.

[JCOConnell]

interesting that a steel case is not employed.

[wspohn]

There may be some sonic benefits to a plastic case but it could just be their attempt to keep the cost down.

[kcin]

Its very difficult to manufacture a good Pre-preamp for phono. Back in the day I had a Counterpoint SA-2 . I considered it one of the finest and it would still do a number on many SUTs today I'm sure.

SUTs are easier to deal with in manufacturing and probably , for the majority , cheaper. I do prefer an active gain stage rather than a SUT. Many will feel otherwise.

That's the beauty of the hobby.

[wspohn]

Well there is something 'pure' about a SUT - nothing except windings of wire to get in the way of the signal - but the hum issues seem easier to deal with in an active stage.

I liked Counterpoint gear too - one of the first preamps I had with any high end aspirations was an affordable SA-7, although I recall that they had a reputation for variable sound, unit to unit (mine was about as good as an Audio Research SP-14 I had that overlapped the Counterpoint)

The Hagerman unit is so modestly priced (half to 1/4 of a good SUT) that I don't hesitate to recommend that anyone try it and see if it works for them.