Stereo Equipment I Didn't Know Existed That Makes A HUGE Difference 

@2:37 "I have very nice stereo equipment." @2:45 "It did have a hum; a slight hiss." You should not have to add a component to fix a different component. A properly working system will neither hum nor hiss. @7:08 "...to enhance the sound quality." The only time you should want to enhance the sound quality, is when the content is not too good; perhaps when the studio did a sub-par mixing / mastering job. With a well recorded song, all of the soundstaging, imaging, textures, and dynamics should be there. Any enhancing would be detrimental to the sound quality. Melinda, when you set up your turntable, did you professionally dial in all of the tone-arm / cartridge vectors, such that your stylus traces the record's groove with precision? Were all of the below professionally dialed in?: -- the effective length of the tone-arm -- the cartridge's weight -- the vertical tracking alignment / rake angle -- the anti-skating -- the overhang -- the offset -- the zenith angle -- the cartridge's azimuth. If any of the above are not aligned, with precision, you will not get the most out of the record's groove, and will hear your stylus rubbing where it should not be rubbing. Does your Rega phono amp have the proper gain setting for your Apheta cartridge? I have had the good fortune of hearing some dream level stereos, in treated rooms at high end stores, set up by professionals. None of them use a step-up transformer, and the music (on properly recorded pressings) sounds so real that you can reach out and touch the band members. The soundstage extended several feet beyond the outer edge of each speaker. Voices were distinct, focused, and came from between the speakers, or elsewhere, depending on the song. All done without a step-up transformer. I do not deny that you heard an improvement. But using gear that would give you that sound quality, without a step-up transformer, would almost certainly sound more realistic; more natural. You would hear everything you described, with more clarity. When I was a teenager, living with my parents and working part time, I saved for a year and purchased a decent stereo (not in the same league as your stereo). I read about a DBX dynamic range expander. I bought one, and it made my stereo sound amazing (or so I thought). My brother had a real stereo, and we hooked it up to his system. His system did not need to be fixed by a dynamic range expander, and we heard the degradation when we used it on his stereo. My point is that I believe that you might have heard an improvement, because the step-up transformer is fixing or compensating for something -- and it would be better to fix that something, instead of boosting your signal's gain to compensate for what needs to be fixed. You had hum and hiss. That evidences that something is wrong. Fix that, and you will not need a step-up transformer.

I have been told you can actually hear the money being sucked out of your bank account

I love videos like this when it comes to equipment it's all about making the sounds sound real great im a nerd when it comes to amplifiers , speakers and i love the bass or without bass too wherever you inside your house or outdoors your music definitely got to sound great even im a fan of music in vehicles too when you ride in your car music sounds great and headphones as well it's all great entertainment because music is great for the ears great video Melinda Murphy have a blessed day

MC cartridges are sensitive to load resistance. The Quadratic gives you a choice of 82 or 326 ohms. The Rega can be set to 70,100,150 or 400 ohms. Which resistive loads did you listen to ? It can make a huge difference. Lowering the load reduces distortion but can reduce output. In my experience MC preamps have gotten much quieter in recent years and step up transformers are no longer competitive.

A product that allows you to use a MC cart when you only have a MM input stage.

Are you sure it just wasn’t louder? People will pick louder 100% of the time. It’s important to compensate for that in the test. .I’m a mixing and Mastering Engineer, and can say this from decades of experience.

That is very interesting stuff. Of course my primary amplifier can only function with the help of a step down transformer so I have to go in the opposite direction. Of course I also have a polarity filter, but I will refuse to go into the world of moving coils. I have a clear, audio maestro Moving magnet stylus that stylist cost me over $2000 but what I love is that I have a simplified signal chain, and while this is a hobby, that many of us can never really have the budget to keep trying all different things I would love for you to try that stylus on your set up and eliminate your Moving coil, preamp and additional things and just run your moving magnet stylist straight into the amplifier and I would love to see a comparison, or get your thoughts on a comparison of going the other way. You may well think that it couldn’t be possible, but I have yet to challenge a set up that could be more visible than what I’m using. of course the downside for me is it as ugly as sin but I guess the ears aren’t looking at that always an excellent video more top quality investments, and before you know it, I’m sure you will have a room that is racked up with plenty of PS audio or Mcintosh equipment, have a fantastic day. See you in the next one.

Wow, great video and congratulations on the sonic improvement! I love when the sound improves, it’s kind of like a Eureka! moment. Recently my wife and I had a problem because we needed different volume levels, to the point where we couldn’t listen together, which I hated. I installed monoblock amplifiers (PS Audio M1200) to the front speakers and OMG! We got more & better music at lower volume. Problem solved, what a relief. Please keep up the excellent hardware videos.

Another one, the EAR MC4 is a phenomenal step-up transformer - the designer, Tim de Paravicini, was a legend when it came to transformers (ask your friends at MFSL, they use his gear). If you can buy one second hand…

This was a very interesting video to listen to, Melinda! I must say, I was very impressed by your choices of "test" records... the Ted Nugent (self-titled) especially! Bcos 'Stranglehold' is an absolute MONSTER of a 'audiophile' song! Great choice! Glad to hear about the conclusive impact of the Quadratic MC1. 👍

Once your equipment reaches a certain level , you will be able to discern changes in equipment and tweaks easier . One of a respected audio designer , i forgot who , said everything makes a difference. The biggest difference is usually changing pieces of equipment but the law of diminishing returns becomes stronger the better your equipment gets. That leaves the area of tweaks , be it cables, isolation devices, power purifiers, cable lifters, grounding devices etc , to be able to make improvement to your system at a more reasonable cost. Although some tweaks can cost more than pieces of equipment ie 10's of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately , not all tweaks work for everybody. Hopefully you can try before buying.I have found that isolation devices to be helpful. It could be a new equipment stand to little devices under your equipment. If you wanted to explore this area, i would try the isoacoustics line especially under your turntable. They either have rubber pucks or turntable stands.

Once I gave a gf I knew $1800 -upon further reflection she was worth it and at least you still have your equipment

Nice video Melinda, I recently added a Cambridge Audio High Output moving coil cartridge. I use the Pro-ject phono box which has an option for Moving Magnet and one for Moving Coil . It’s a lot cheaper than the step up transformer. I am happy with it. But I live that there are so many options. 🎉🎉

Jam! Still rocking the West electrostats? The best from Al R. Md.

You are doing well with your hifi Melinda, always trust your own ears, it’s you after all that will be listening to it.

What fun it is to hear you reviewing high end stereo gear! You did very well.

great, down to earth review of hardware. hopefully you get more hardware to test. the community needs more reviews like this

IF you have a good combo of turntable, suitable good quality phono pre-amp (MC/MM) and a good power amp ... a step-up won't make a difference. if your pre-amp isn't a good combo with the turntable and element ... it can correct it some, but getting a better combo would be smarter.

It's always a big thrill to when something noticably improves your listening experience. I've been into nice hi-fi since I was about 17. I think one thing that is really nice is a stereo receiver with a mono select (usually a push button. I do have my share of mono records and I remember on my Kenwood Eleven, if I was playing a mono record and I pushed the mono button, surface noise seemed to drop about 5 or ten db. It was very noticable and on many mono LP (and even 78s) distracting noise would close to vanish completely. Unfortunately finding a new receiver with a mono setting is almost impossible. I have some fine sounding mono records but I miss that mono selector. BTW Eye in the Sky is one awesome LP. All the Alan Parsons LPs are wonderful for audio demonstration. Enjoy

That Is One Splendidly Amazing Device...It's Like Instantly Remastering Ur Own LPs...

I think what you’re saying is, the Rega Aria MK 3 Phono Preamplifier in MC mode is a pile of rubbish ??

Another step [pun intended] on your audio journey. Excellent explanation of the benefits for MC cartridge. Onward & upward in HiFi!

what will audioholics say ? LOL we know now cables are BS ! THX TO THEM !

Never heard of this type of product, in spite of watching multiple RU-vid channels in this subject. I'm sure it makes a very audible difference but at just below $1,800.00, plus shipping and sales taxes, it only makes sense for people with very upscale systems, certainly not mine. New gear is like a bug that, once bitten, it's hard to get off it, because there will be another box, cable, power supply, power conditioner...., you name it, knocking at the door and making that "perfect sound" even more perfect and detailed. Thanks for another great video.

We've come a long way from listening to 12 for a dollar record club albums on my Crosely to equipment pieces that can pick out the frequency of each guitar string. Yet, at 76 years old, when do we hit the diminishing returns threshold?

Yes, most moving coils need a gain boost. Some preamps have gain adjustments built in. Sometimes you have to open up the preamp to get to the toggle switches. Some have the toggle switches on the outside back panel. What you have achieved with your transformer is increase the S/N ratio so the hum is below the noise floor.

Well, actually, what you summed up here sounds to me as if your phono pre-amp from before just had not been set up correctly. Because if it had been, the sound would have been quite the same to a well set up step-up transformer. Sometimes, there are differences when it comes to noise and so on. But there are really good devices on both sides which will sound very similar. And: A step-up started just as an afterthought to make the quieter MC cartridges louder in order to go together well with an MM preamp. They also often add more colouration to the picture than preamps. But, summing up, when both kinds of devices are set up properly, they should come to a not that easy to distinguish result.

I hear folks in Detroit use the elusive Quadratic MC5 😁

Thanks for an enjoyable video. A few thoughts: 1. The hum may have been a ground loop. 2. If the home was still there when doing the tests, would not this easily distinguish which was playing? 3. How do you adjust for the volume differences? Remarkably small differences in tests like these can greatly affect results. 4. Auditory memory is surprisingly short. How long was each sample sand the time between? Finally, isn't four rather small trial size? That's so much and keep up the great work!

A decent "line-conditioner" helps the whole entertainment system as well plus a noticeable improvement with video, it makes a reg: dvd look close to blu -ray, providing you're using quality hi-speed HDMI cables:--) I'm using a vacuum tube preamp"Project tube box S-2" for my turntable which can do MM/MC carts in varying step modes and up +63 db gain.

My Luxman intergrated amp has a moving coil inputs build in but i am happy with my nagaoka moving magnet cartridge

The irony is, back in the mid-late 60 and onwards, it was a huge selling point for any audio equipment manufacturer to NOT have transformers in the signal path. The step-up transformer surely works, but i'd consider it a special interest item. If you just want no-nonsense good sound you could buy a more than decent MC compatible pre-amp (RIAA) for about 1/4 of the price of that transformer... and spend the rest on records (or CDs or whatever format you like).

Not to be rude, but how were you running an MC cart without a step up transformer? Most amps/receivers/etc only support MM (if they even have it in modern equipment) ...with your 1800 cart, I would have thought that would have been part of your setup

Way over priced. I could build that for less then 150.00 bucks. I like new stuff but i refuse to be ripped off.

What a boring video. Dampened my initial interest. No display of the actual setup in relation with other devices. Rather disappointing, and time wasting.

So we are talking about a Phono Preamp, It takes the low output signal from the cartridge and raises the signal output that you then connect to the input of your amp, cuts out the amps phono stage as there not really as good as they could be. Sorry but there are hundreds of Phono Preamp, been around for years, I think your hifi supplier has not been giving you the full info. By the way, Phono Preamp is the correct terminology.

EAR also makes an excellent step-up transformer. $1795.00 is a lot of money but in the world of high end audio it’s peanuts.

That’s interesting Melinda! I’m always curious of different stereo equipment. I think it’s great that your channel includes different equipment options and goes over different pieces that are out there. Maybe in the future more companies will send different turntables, amplifiers, preamps, speakers, etc for you to try. I like the choice of albums that you selected. One of my older amplifiers, a Sansui AU-D33 has two different button selectors for MM and MC. I would like to get a moving coil cartridge in the future and get the full effect of this option.

I have never tried a moving coil cartridge. I am really hooked on the Ortofon Bronze MM cart. I recently reluctantly purchased a phono preamp. My stereo amp is the Yamaha A-S1200, which sounded wonderful, without the phono preamp. Yes the Sutherland KC-Vibe did improve the sound. I am not sure it improved the sound $900 bucks worth, but it did improve the sound. I think once you get to a certain level in audio gear, improvements are small, and wanting to continue spending money to eke out small amounts of sound improvements are totally dependent on a persons budget. I am done with my system, as everything is new, except for my old Velodyne sub, which I do love. Have a great day, and enjoy the music.

I see you got the equipment bug. Welcome to the club. Once you get to a certain level of refinement in your stereo system you’ll be able to notice any little changes. I have the PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp. It’s can be used with MM or Moving Coil Cartridges like the one I use. Congratulations and I hope you buy the SUT (step up transformer) Trey

Interesting video Melinda. That thing is too rich for my blood, but sounds awesome. What if my cartridge is already moving magnet? I’m guessing it wouldn’t be useful for me? 🤷‍♂️.

I learned something new today, I did not know that you would still need a phono preamp if you were going to use a SUT.

Will Melinda now we're talking SUT you definitely are now one of the top audiophiles in the VC this for sure. When I heard you talk about the improvements I realized I need something done to lower the noise floor.. My phono section uses a FET to amplify the moving coil. when I saw the price it made me realize I probably need to buy a new phono section instead of an SUT at this point. Thanks so much for the review enjoyed it Also you look great in that dress.

The auditorium 23 SUT is popular and its $500 cheaper. You might want to audition that one.

I watch you because your gear journey is so very similar to most of us modest HIFI enthusiasts here. Its a very exciting phase of the journey youre in now, learning about little caveats like these upgrades. I'd recommend venturing into room treatment next. Many ways of doing it right while maintaining your decor motif. Good on you Melinda!

watching this video makes me realize how many light years she is from being anything close to a reviewer.

I bought an ifi zen phono preamp. It has setting for all cartridges, moving magnet, low and high output moving coil.

Well if I ever branch out and upgrade my equipment your videos have helped me understand a few things I didn't know. Great video and take care!

Hello Melinda. I just discovered your channel. I LOVE what you are doing. I've loved records since I discovered "hi fi" in the late sixties. I now have the pleasure of viewing your episodes, which may take a while, and testing out many of the records you suggest. I was thinking of a record that came out at the end of the 70's : Joe Jackson: Steppin' Out. I think the title tract really "pops" on a good stereo. If you haven't heard it it's worth a listen. Anyway, being a new listener I thought I'd reach out. Also, I hope your furniture finally arrived intact and keep up the good work. Ron

Very cool looking piece of equipment but pretty sure that would cause me to get a divorce lol

Hello Melinda. I would like to share with you a subject most people don't know, or do not want to accept as something possible. Stereo systems become magnetised with use over time. Moving electromagnetic signal through your system, materials will become magnetised in time. Believe it or not, it happens. When my system starts sounding dull for no specific reason, I run a demagnetising cd disk through my high-end sacd/cd player. For vinyl, I play a pink noise recorded demagnetizer LP. Pink noise is different from white noise. Pink noise is produced using frequencies at equal strength throughout 20hz to 20Khz. Afterwards, the magic is back, baby! I hope this information helps with your sonic quests?

I use , Quad block valve mono amps , and a MHA200 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier , I personal think it`s an emotional organic sound on my Michele Turntable , a big step up from solid state Amps. I,ve never heard a MC cartridge that could be my next upgrade.

Nice video. I liked your pointing out the blind testing process you did. Thats the only way to do it so, congrats. My only advice, by saying "the Quadratic MC1" so many time's it did start to feel like an advertisment. I'd just revert to saying "the MC1", would sound more natural, IMO. And the price,,, ya out of reach.

i may have missed something, but does your existing phono preamp support both MC and MM, and if so was it via a switch or auto sensing. if via switch does that mean the comparison was using the step up into your existing phono preamp switched to MM mode compared to going directly into your existing preamp switched to MC mode? if your baseline was using a MC with a phono preamp not designed to support MC, then comparison would be invalid.... i'm assuming that not to be the case, but didn't hear much about capabilities of your existing phono preamp.

You're all set BUT transformers are like cartridges, each has a unique sound (electrical loading?). So when the next (vintage?) transformer comes along, I'm sure you'll be singing its praises (or not) & wowing us here, enjoy!

So Melinda, the big question is, Are you buying one? Once you know your system can sound better, how is it possible to go back? SUP's were off my radar. I bought the iPhono 3 black label which was such a vast improvement on the 2 or 300 dollar phono stages I had been using and also made the transition to my first MC with the Audio Technica AT33 with a Shibata stylus ( Once you switch to MC, there is no going back) and I really thought that area of my system was done but your review has opened my eyes. How are you feeling about entering the mirky world of equipment reviews? I have often wondered how one walks that line. On the one hand, you want to keep your integrity intact and be free to speak your mind, on the other, You clearly are someone with integrity and a trustworthiness earned over time that cannot be faked... and that shouldn't be given away (acknowledging that honourable makers offering quality product deserve endorsement). I guess what I am saying is, I hope they send you one. You have me seriously considering one for myself, although I will look at the competition, like the music hall that is nearly a quarter the price (although, I would spend the money if I become convinced the Quadratic is superior)

$1800 out of my price range.This would be a waste of money for me. Good speakers is what I think I would be buying. Nice video though.

Given that you can actually capture output from an LP system (Turntable->[a]PhonoPreamp->[b]any other device like this one->ADC->computer - or reverse [a] and [b], whatever works) and share the sound, the fact that there are so many reviews like this out there talking about "what I heard" while putting no effort into demonstrating that sound output really was altered with real sound clips is nuts. So you say you had hum that was eliminated- that's not even an evident feature of this product. It may be true that something about adding this got rid of your ground loop, but that's no proof about the features of this product. If there is any noble service to be offered people who are looking to enjoy their music more it would be to really measure what products out there really matter- because there is a lot of garbage out there being sold as "essential." But I gather that's not your mission.

I too have a Rega. Rega Planar 6 with Ania Pro and I too have the Aria MKiii phono preamp. Paradigm Prestige 15b Speakers. Rega Elex-R integrated amplifier and Dual SVS SB 1000 Pro subwoofers. My question is do you use this unit WITH the Aria MKiii or in place of the Aria MKiii If you use with the Aria MKiii what is the sequence; TT to unit to Aria MKiii to amplifier of TT to MKiii to unit? I hope this makes sense?

So that we don't all start screaming "Confirmation Bias is off the charts with this one"...the extraordinarily simple fix to show just how amazing this step up transformer is, would be to show it in operation, a side by side edit, playing the same sample track (copyright free obviously) and simply switch the audio back and forth between normal setup and transformer setup. You say that the audio quality (hiss etc) was instantaneously improved with the transformer, so why not just show us this improvement? It would be very easy to record a comparison, and for the almost $2k price tag of this thing, it's a real shame that all we have to go on is your word. Just my two cents.

In the '60s '70s and early '80s, there were Swctable inputs for Moving coil (preferred due to slightly higher signal strength/voltage ) or Moving magnet cartridges. in the separate preamp or preamp section of your mid to high-end stereo amp/receiver by changing the switch position to match the cartridge type and any needed step-up would be done so that the output of the phono preamp was the same for MM and MC cartridges; it's not a wonder you heard a difference. I know MC is out there but these days MM rules right now. and your setup is great.

For $1800 it's very expensive for what it is. For around the same money you can get a used Manley Chinook and it will blow this mc1 plus you phonostage out of the water.

I have been using similar pads under ALL my gear that you have under your records' player). What an amazing upgrade.

Seems a bit pricey at $1,795.00 to me..

Hmm... basically, she has good equipment, but it's still just mid to high hi-fi. A great phonostage with a step up transformer built in will have same if not better results. For me - buy it once, buy it right and forget about upgrading for a very long time if not for life.

Moving coil transformers amplify the voltage at the expense of the current. The output in power in terms of volts times amps is the same as the input. But a boosted voltage is what a voltage amplifier needs to work with. MC transformers have existed for decades and were once considered state of the art going back to the iconic late 70s/80s Verion / Cotter stepup tranformer.

Step-up and step-down transformers have been used by power companies since Tesla invented Alternating Current. Just sayin’…

I was very intrigued with this. On paper, at least, it has the potential to take my Music Hall mmf-1.5 from MM to MC level performance-ish, while still being cheaper than buying a dedicated entry-level MC turntable. However, after checking the link to the Quadratic Moving Coil Step Up Transformer website, I realized that I would still have to buy a separate phono pre-amp even though my turntable has a decent one built-in. So, perhaps a project for another time for when I have more space for additional components. But thanks for introducing me to this device, which I never knew existed.

first moving coil cartridges I do not like cause they are too expensive when stylus is worn you have to send out whole cart to replace stylus its not worth the extra tinkle of a song you are listening to when you send out your cart to replace stylus do you have another cart to listen to thats about 1000'00 per moving coil cart how many of us have 1000.00 for a moving coil cart ,sorry but this vid was very disappointed in it , very sad JRo please note no disrespect to you or this vid you asked and i am giving my most respectfull answer/comment

Melinda...so I assume your husband switched your phono preamp to moving magnet setting when using the step up transformer.

Looking at your overall system, something tells me that your amplifier and preamplifier need an upgrade. Your turntable and cartridge deserve better amplification. I haven’t looked at your speakers but that is a glaring mismatch between the high end turntable and cartridge on one hand and the amplification on the other.

And regarding your Rolling Stones singles box set video, you prefer a 45 of their hit songs, one at a time, instead of hearing a handful of those same hit songs on one side of a 33 record? Sound quality being equal. lol

Not trying to spend your money. Your next move you might think about upgrading your emotiva gear. I have the same gear as a secondary system and while it's good it is not at the level of your other equipment that you have.your turntable, speakers, and rel subs are at a much higher level than the emotiva.

I use the same vibration pads as you use on the turntable. The are cheap and very effective. I also use sorbothane pucks and they work great as well.

I was glad to of changed to cd, i got fed up with trying to perfect a vinyl sound, became stupid and expensive, its more to do with the way you hear music, vinyl is now a mix of digital being played on analouge, bear in mind.

A step up transformer is one of those robots from planet Cybertron who can change into a car. You can quote me on that, Melinda, you big silly!

Transformers are a dime a dozen and having nice electrical lines with good connections that are shielded you could make for 100$. Now finding the voltage increase needed I would have to have someone tell me.

You look like Diana Krall, when you held up the album.

hmm...as a electronic engineer i never considered a step up transformer to increase the voltage gain. ive always used 50+ dB gain low noise op amps.

I think using a good stepup transformer is superior to amps , far simpler if done properly. I use an audio technica transformer, silver wired and superb sounding.

Whoever sold you the moving coil cartridge should have sold you the necessary Transformer as well.

Could you get a better mic please, listened for 30 sec's and switched off as it was hurting my ears.

If you haven't already done this try running a ground wire between step up transformer and the aria phone preamp it lowered the noise floor another 10db on my setup.

Try the Parasound JC3+, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Very cool how you transitioned into an Audiophile Stereo Equipment Reviewer, when it comes to playing vinyl records, like I said before, it would be awesome for manufacturers to take notice and send you more gear to demo and review, I love watching those videos as well, great job Melinda!!😎🤘

Hi Melinda! The most important thing is that you noticed the difference and you enjoyed such difference so whatever it costs it’s well paid. I’m so proud of you and the more you travel on the audiophile world new positive difference may happen to your listening experience and when it happens it so rewarding. Enjoy your music as much as you can. Peace!!!

Begs the question… why would they not offer a phono preamp and the step up in one box? Or maybe that does exist

Thanks for your Video. I am thinking about to get a stepup transformer for my phonopre

You'll get a sound increase with SACD.

It's very interesting to hear from someone who hadn't heard of them before - it means no preconceptions.

There’s no way I could afford this add-on but, as usual, I really appreciate the knowledge gained from your videos, Melinda. Thanks again!

I have this component and it’s killer. Quadratic 1st component and worth every penny. SUT can run anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to as much as 7-10k and the Quadratic blows away anything near its price. I’ve heard with Pass Labs 27k phono amp and it made a noticeable improvement. There are some pretty good SUT in the $500-$800 range that potentially make an improvement but IMO to get one near this quality you’d need to spend 3-4k so it’s a bargain in that regard. Nice review

Hi, Melinda - I see you've answered a couple of people who have asked about where the SUT sits in the connectivity chain, and you said TT to MC1, then MC1 to phono preamp. But what about a setup like yours, the Rega Planar 8 that has an external power supply? Is it TT > power supply > MC1 > phono preamp? Or is it TT > MC1 > power supply > phono preamp? I'm assuming it's the former, but I'm woefully ignorant about things electrical so I want to be sure I understand.

Love the blind testing……All things considered theres a lot more expensive hobbies…

I read somewhere once……” An audiophile buys music to listen to their Hi-Fi whereas a music lover buys Hi-Fi to listen to their music !!!!! Nevertheless interesting video. Thanks.

Maybe down the road you would consider components by Sansui.

A great review. Nice to see vibration dampeners under your turntable. Another tip: I clean all of the metal connectors on cables and components with deoxidiser fluid every six months or so.

Anti audiophiles haters, are going to blow up the comment section.

Being a "cartridge swapper" I needed a phono preamp that I can use either MC or MM . I have the Project Phono Box S3B. It handles both types of Carts. It also has controls for gain(step up), capacitance, ohms, & has balanced Ins/outs. Sounds good to me.

It’s all about signal to noise ratio