Moving Coil Step-up Transformers

Moving Coil (MC) Step-up Transformers (SUT): These transformers amplify the low-level signal from a Moving Coil Phono cartridge (as used in high end turntables) Moving Coil Phono Cartridges are prized for their superior sound quality, but produce very low output voltages. This output voltage is typically in the range of 0.2 mV to 0.5 mV, which is much lower than the output of a moving magnet (MM) cartridge. Many Hi-Fi Amplifiers are equipped with an integrated Phono stage, however these are often designed specifically for  Moving Magnet (MM) Phono Cartridges.

The Moving Coil Step-Up transformer boosts and therefore matches the low signal from a MC Cartridge’s output to a level suitable for standard phono pre-amplifiers.

  • Harmonic distortion, in Moving Coil Transformers, is most pronounced at lower frequencies and diminishes rapidly with increasing frequency.
  • In contrast, transistor amplifiers typically exhibit distortion that rises alongside frequency.

Consequently, while transformers may not be entirely free from distortion, the distortion they introduce is considerably less pronounced compared to that produced by many transistor amplifiers.

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