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Any Members Tried the Audio Interface CST-80 SUT?

My curiosity got the better of me and I just bought this SUT from Japan and wondered if anyone else had any experience with it. The very little I could find seemed to indicate it is a respectable unit and has even been likened to the highly acclaimed Cotter SUT.

It was made in the US around 1982 and came in two varieties. There was a 3 Ohm version with 30dB of gain and a 40 Ohm version with 20dB of gain.

I currently use a Fidelity Research FRT-4 which is excellent and has 4 different taps 100 Ohms, 30 Ohms, 10 Ohms and 3 Ohms + Pass Through for MM.  It will be interesting to see how it compares the FRT-4.

I will use it with my 1.0 mV / 60 Ohms Shinon Boron Red which currently uses the 100 Ohm tap on my FRT-4.

 

ateal
ateal OP
95 posts
 
As I was searching for more info on this SUT today I came across this review from Audio Asylum in 2006. It pretty much sums up my own findings.

This is the mc trans believed to contain jensen trans', and actually may have been bought by the Jensen company. I got it used from Audio Directions in Honolulu for a very good price, with a very long trial period...the owner is that way. He deals alot with CJs, VTLs, and Quicksilver amps. He also deals with Hagerman, who is also based in Hawaii. If ever in Hawaii, check it out. He has stuff piled up all over the place. I am in no way affiliated with Audio Directions. Just a happy customer of a few years.
I introduced the cst first to my technics sl1500mk/denon 103/project tube box/leben cs300/fostex 126e system, and to put it shortly, all the good stuff came shining through...more background details, more sense of air and space, authority from top to bottom. base got deeper and punchier (yes, even thru the single drivers). just alot more ease and drive to the music. All the good stuff we love about music through vinyl, but MORE!
But, I didnt have too long to assess the AI in my technics system because I immediately set up my newly arrived Garrard 401 with the rega rb300/expressimo weight with cardas wire upgrade.
Getting the Garrard set up needs another post entirely, but lets just say for now it was like waking up an old car....it needs tlc, a couple of slaps, a few drinks, a massage, and it needed to run upside down for a little while...I aint kidding. OK. Now the AI is extracting what the 401 can do. With the 401, Sam Cooke stepped into my living room. His tonal inflections are living and breathing, the band filling my whole room. With the Garrard, the best word I can sum it all up on is "visceral".
What does this mean? i guess it means the Audio Interface gives you more of what you have...brings out the latent image, sort of improves your "hearing".This is my first experience with mc trans', so take it for what its worth. I am just excited with all my new additions, so maybe its hard for me too make a clear assessment, but it sure is FUN, and isnt that its all about anyway?
aloha!!


nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

@ateal , My first SUT was   FRT4. Because this one is

copper version I wanted to check the output cable. I was

surprised about the amount of corrosion. So the obvious solution

is to solder an new cable. I moved then to Denon-AU-S1 which is

better made and without all those aluminum switches in the

signal path. I hope you also changed the output cable?

ateal OP
95 posts
 
Hi nandric, I opened my FRT 4 when I first got it and it was clean as a whistle, no corrosion, like new. 

I should clarify that the FRT 4 is outstanding but the AI just gives that little bit more.
piedpiper
753 posts
 
Coming in late here, but, a friend gave me one of the 3 ohm versions to sell for him along with several other pieces. I don't need it for my own system as I added Sowter SUTs into my Hagerman Trumpet years ago. I'm trying to get a sense of the value of this. Thoughts?
bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
I saw one not long ago on a Japanese site for $999. But it may be gone — which would suggest it's a viable price. On the other hand I paid $60 for mine. Somewhere in between seems right. Does that help?

OTOH, I've seen Cotters selling fast in the $2–3+K range, and many consider the AI better... but as we know perceived value and true quality are not related.
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