SUT decision: Ortofon Verto vs Ortofon STA6600L

I have to revisit this thread, especially after suggesting Lundahls earlier. Since then I bought one of Bob's Devices SKY 30 SUTs for use with my Miyajima Kansui. I'm shocked at how good it is, even before full break in. Huge, deep soundstage; rich yet accurate tonality; outstanding focus and detail; very open and dynamic. I'd never been completely happy with the Kansui before, and I've used it through a Steelhead RC, my VAC Phi Beta pre-amp's internal MC (with unlimited loading options), and the MC input on my current Allnic H3000, which employs its own multi-tap SUTs. The Kansui always seemed closed in no matter how I played with gain and loading. Through this Bob's SUT, on high gain (30x) into the H3000's MM input at 47K, I finally get what makes this cartridge special. Perhaps 30x is just the perfect gain for it and that's what I'm hearing, I'm not sure. But I have a feeling the difference is these blue CineMag transformers and the way Bob utilizes them. (I have no affiliation beyond being a pleased new customer.)

Thanks Wrm57, thats an interesting observation. This goes to show more very important thing, with most phonostages a good SUT into the MM input sounds better than going direct into the MC input. There would be exceptions I agree, but most as I said could be behaving this way. So, I guess it would be interesting to look for a very good MM phonostage and look for a matching SUT for the cartridge.

Pani, I've come to that conclusion myself, namely, that SUTs into an MM phono stage is the way to go for me. The Allnic H3000 is by far the best phono stage I've had in my system, and it is essentially a tubed MM phono stage with built-in SUTs for MC carts, offering four windings (13x, 20x, 26x, 40x) and four secondary input impedance options (in mine, 30K, 47K, 75K, 100K). Two MC inputs go through its SUTS; two MM inputs bypass them and lead directly to the secondary impedance options, so you can use MM carts or, for MC carts, stand-alone SUTs with other windings. The 30x winding that seems ideal for the Kansui isn't offered by the Allnic, hence the Bob's SKY 30 through MM inputs is best for that cartridge. It's an elegant approach. But a similar result could be achieved less expensively via a high-quality MM phono stage and SUT matched to the cartridge, as you say. Bob is very helpful in this regard: give him the specs of your cartridge and he runs the calculations to determine the best windings match.

Thanks Wrm57. I was thinking of the Leben RS-30EQ or an Allnic H1500.