step up transformer for clearaudio

I am quite a supporter for SUT, but only for LOMC.
A SUT suits the chain the better the lower the output of the MC and its source impedance (and the resulting source inductance).
You may try a 1:4 step up with 8 to 12dB gain.
This might work well and tell you a few things about your MC. But the question is - as Axel pointed out - whether your phono stage can handle the input.
Always keep in mind, that the SUT and the cartridge are a team. You need to match the right "teammates" - otherwise the "best" SUT will sound terrible with the "best" MC if their technical parameters aren't matching.

Dertonarm,

I agree that a SUT is a good approach to dealing with low output moving coils. Such cartridges need an additional stage of amplification and any form of active amplification adds noise whereas an SUT does not add noise.

How would i know the overload spec of my clearaudio phono stage? All i know is that it has a 58db gain and input impedance of 5oo ohms/270 pf . Max output is 12v(1hz). Please help if you know the computations to my phono stage overload spec. . Also if im overloading it, will it be obvious immediately or will i hear the distortions with repeated use of the step up? Thanks

Csr827,
+++ How would i know the overload spec of my clearaudio phono stage?+++

By looking up the spec. sheet, or if not in the spec. sheet asking the man that makes the stuff, no?

Greetings,
Axel

Hi Csr827, it will be obvious audible if you overload the input. The sound will be unbearable thin, distorted and somehow "breathless" (in a most negative sense of the word) and it will be obvious that something is entirely "wrong".

Get the manufacturer contacted and ask him about the maximum allowed input voltage in the phono input.
He should know the answer within 5 seconds, as this is one of the key parameters of any phono stage worth the name.

But please keep in mind, that the influence of a SUT is diminishing with increased source output of the MC. You already have a medium to high output MC. Don't expect even a well matched SUT to make a difference like night and day. What you will get is increased dynamic, punch and "inner gain" (in the sense of more power, as if you are running your car with the next more powerful engine..).
But these effects will be rather small.