CORRECTION! Of course, this box is a Step Up Active Amplifier. Not a transformer. Apologies to all. A lack a concentration I think. I’m so used to the SUT term I use it without even thinking. The term SUT is fixed in my head, you see. It's a bit like calling my vacuum cleaner a Hoover when it isn't. It's one of those terms that sticks in my head...and causes trouble. (I think I still have the Aurorasound SUT review in my head too) so when Graham Slee thinks out of the box like this, my tiny mind obviously cannot cope. So again, apologies all round and especially to Graham Slee. As a punishment, i will only listen to music via a Crosley turntable all week. That will teach me, eh?
The Graham Slee Elevator is not a transformer but an active amplifier. The manufacturer is very clear about this on their website. The one thing it shares in common with a step-up transformer is that it must be connected to a MM phono preamp.
Seems like Paul need to read up on "Active" vs. "Passive" devices. The Elevator EXP is clearly an Active design, hence not a "SUT" which are Passive devices, but a "headamp" which is active like @Secession1900 says! I personally prefer passive devices even if they can be a touch more touchy about the cables used! 🙈
You’re right, my mistake. See pinned Comment. Serves me right for rushing about and not paying attention. The term ‘Step Up Transformer’ is just so familiar to me I labelled this unit thus. But no, it’s a Step Up amp. Graham Slee even talks about it here: www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/elevator-exp-mc-step-up-amp.html
NOTE: One thing I forgot to mention when comparing the Accession MC with the EXP/Accession MM combo was this. The two-box system is £376 more than the Accession MC yes but the two-box system is also giving you a Moving Magnet facility. Something the Accession MC cannot do. So, that might be worth that extra £376, all on its own.
Hi Paul! Dan from Detroit again. I would love for you to review the Rothwell MCL step-up-transformer. I’m currently running my Linn Troika (rebuilt 3 times, mounted on an Ittok LV-II/LP-12) thru a Denon AU-250 SUT from the 1970’s into my Luxman L-590 AxII integrated amp MM input. Using that entry level Denon SUT was a definite improvement over the very good MC input on the Luxman, being usefully more quiet with a more relaxed presentation. Time to upgrade that Troika me thinks, looking possibly at the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, which deserves a better SUT than that junk-drawer find Denon 😆. I see the Rothwell MCL uses Lundahl transformers just like the equivalent Ortofon SUT but at less than half the price. Lucky we have one Rothwell dealer in the USA, Britaudio, located in Arizona.
Are you sure that's a transformer? Why would it need to be powered? I'm guessing it's an MC head amp, an active device rather than a passive step-up transformer.
You’re right, my mistake. See pinned Comment. Serves me right for rushing about and not paying attention. The term ‘Step Up Transformer’ is just so familiar to me I labelled this unit thus. But no, it’s a Step Up amp. Graham Slee even talks about it here: www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/elevator-exp-mc-step-up-amp.html
Hello very interesting review for me that I am going to upgrade my Rega planar from an mc high output of Goldring to a mc of Rega. But he question is: did you try to match the StepUp with an mm phono ore of a different brand, Rega for instance? If not any idea of a possible sound result? Any hint? Thx a lot, Lorenzo
Didn't try a Rega, no but having hooked up various Step Ups with MM phono amps now, the good examples really do provide a superb performance lift. Separating the MM bit from the MC bit into two separate boxes provides a real sonic boost.
of course it works. He even mentions it. However, you‘ll get tons of noise, no loading options and an input stage that isn‘t optimized for tiny signals. If you do not care about sound quality, many things work.
23 and 30 are selectable which is pretty close but, even so, start a setting as close as you can to your cart, listen, live with it for a bit. Then try a setting a little bit further out and see how that sounds. Use your ears and decide what sounds best. As I said in the video. Specs are a guide. No more.
Thanks @TheAudiophileMan they have a loan scheme here in Australia. So while mine is being made, and EXP will be sent to me to use. I bought a XX2 Dynavector. So looking forward to trying all this.
I borrowed this kit, and I'm glad. It picked up RF and EF noise, it was incompatible with my kit. I sent it back to Kieth at Wyndham Audio in Australia and it worked on his system perfectly. Oh well.
Doesn’t the logos adjacent the switches tell you the position for the loadings , in a pictorial fashion so no need to worry about the actual instructions .
Ok error with SUT vs active aside, you bang on twice in this video about how you would like the loading to be on the box when it is clearly printed right on the front between the toggle switches. Paul, did you actually get this one in your hands? Already own a Graham Slee Jazz and it performs well above its pay grade, as it were for use with mostly mono pre 1955 recordings. Might combine an Elevator to use with MC instead of my current SUT (trannie) loaded Eastern Electric phono. If only you hadn't had such a set of senior moments here Paul.
Steady on old chap, don’t get carried away with the crowd. I did talk about that in the video and I have already addressed this here in another comment. I still believe that some users would appreciate more hand holding in terms of the interface. You might be fine with the front fascia code but it’s my job to consider others too. Did you have a Specsavers moment? ;)
Quite an informative video, albeit an active stage rather than a Step Up Transformer. On the other hand, a SUT containing two Lundahl LL1941 shielded transformers plays quite nicely with the OriginLive Discovery 1. The noise floor is almost as low as that when using MM or HOMC cartridges.
CORRECTION! Of course, this box is a Step Up Active Amplifier. Not a transformer. Apologies to all. A lack a concentration I think. I’m so used to the SUT term I use it without even thinking. The term SUT is fixed in my head, you see. It's a bit like calling my vacuum cleaner a Hoover when it isn't. It's one of those terms that sticks in my head...and causes trouble. (I think I still have the Aurorasound SUT review in my head too) so when Graham Slee thinks out of the box like this, my tiny mind obviously cannot cope. So again, apologies all round and especially to Graham Slee. As a punishment, i will only listen to music via a Crosley turntable all week. That will teach me, eh?
The Graham Slee Elevator is not a transformer but an active amplifier. The manufacturer is very clear about this on their website. The one thing it shares in common with a step-up transformer is that it must be connected to a MM phono preamp.
Seems like Paul need to read up on "Active" vs. "Passive" devices. The Elevator EXP is clearly an Active design, hence not a "SUT" which are Passive devices, but a "headamp" which is active like @Secession1900 says! I personally prefer passive devices even if they can be a touch more touchy about the cables used! 🙈
You’re right, my mistake. See pinned Comment. Serves me right for rushing about and not paying attention. The term ‘Step Up Transformer’ is just so familiar to me I labelled this unit thus. But no, it’s a Step Up amp. Graham Slee even talks about it here: www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/elevator-exp-mc-step-up-amp.html
NOTE: One thing I forgot to mention when comparing the Accession MC with the EXP/Accession MM combo was this. The two-box system is £376 more than the Accession MC yes but the two-box system is also giving you a Moving Magnet facility. Something the Accession MC cannot do. So, that might be worth that extra £376, all on its own.
I love your approach to your topics, “Why would you want to . . ..”
Hi Paul! Dan from Detroit again. I would love for you to review the Rothwell MCL step-up-transformer. I’m currently running my Linn Troika (rebuilt 3 times, mounted on an Ittok LV-II/LP-12) thru a Denon AU-250 SUT from the 1970’s into my Luxman L-590 AxII integrated amp MM input. Using that entry level Denon SUT was a definite improvement over the very good MC input on the Luxman, being usefully more quiet with a more relaxed presentation. Time to upgrade that Troika me thinks, looking possibly at the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, which deserves a better SUT than that junk-drawer find Denon 😆. I see the Rothwell MCL uses Lundahl transformers just like the equivalent Ortofon SUT but at less than half the price. Lucky we have one Rothwell dealer in the USA, Britaudio, located in Arizona.
Are you sure that's a transformer? Why would it need to be powered? I'm guessing it's an MC head amp, an active device rather than a passive step-up transformer.
You’re right, my mistake. See pinned Comment. Serves me right for rushing about and not paying attention. The term ‘Step Up Transformer’ is just so familiar to me I labelled this unit thus. But no, it’s a Step Up amp. Graham Slee even talks about it here: www.hifisystemcomponents.com/phono-preamps/elevator-exp-mc-step-up-amp.html
Hello very interesting review for me that I am going to upgrade my Rega planar from an mc high output of Goldring to a mc of Rega.
But he question is: did you try to match the StepUp with an mm phono ore of a different brand, Rega for instance?
If not any idea of a possible sound result? Any hint?
Thx a lot,
Lorenzo
Didn't try a Rega, no but having hooked up various Step Ups with MM phono amps now, the good examples really do provide a superb performance lift. Separating the MM bit from the MC bit into two separate boxes provides a real sonic boost.
Nonsense. I use a mc with my mm phone stage and it works... It just needs an increase in volume
of course it works. He even mentions it. However, you‘ll get tons of noise, no loading options and an input stage that isn‘t optimized for tiny signals. If you do not care about sound quality, many things work.
Another interesting and well explained one Paul . 👌
Best wishes and happy listening from Scotland.
Jim🏴🙂
U prefer ELEVATOR EXP STEP-UP + Accession or Accession MC? Thank a lot~
I prefer the Step Up + Accession MM (Moving Magnet) combo. Plus a quality coax cable to connect the two. Best you can afford.
Thx a lot~
Can I ask, when it has 21db gain, if a cartridge calls for 30db or 60db, does that mean it doesn't work? I'm confused.
23 and 30 are selectable which is pretty close but, even so, start a setting as close as you can to your cart, listen, live with it for a bit. Then try a setting a little bit further out and see how that sounds. Use your ears and decide what sounds best. As I said in the video. Specs are a guide. No more.
Thanks @TheAudiophileMan they have a loan scheme here in Australia. So while mine is being made, and EXP will be sent to me to use. I bought a XX2 Dynavector. So looking forward to trying all this.
I borrowed this kit, and I'm glad. It picked up RF and EF noise, it was incompatible with my kit. I sent it back to Kieth at Wyndham Audio in Australia and it worked on his system perfectly. Oh well.
Doesn’t the logos adjacent the switches tell you the position for the loadings , in a pictorial fashion so no need to worry about the actual instructions .
Yes, I did refer to that in the video. For some users, I think more hand holding would have been useful.
Ok error with SUT vs active aside, you bang on twice in this video about how you would like the loading to be on the box when it is clearly printed right on the front between the toggle switches. Paul, did you actually get this one in your hands? Already own a Graham Slee Jazz and it performs well above its pay grade, as it were for use with mostly mono pre 1955 recordings. Might combine an Elevator to use with MC instead of my current SUT (trannie) loaded Eastern Electric phono. If only you hadn't had such a set of senior moments here Paul.
Steady on old chap, don’t get carried away with the crowd. I did talk about that in the video and I have already addressed this here in another comment. I still believe that some users would appreciate more hand holding in terms of the interface. You might be fine with the front fascia code but it’s my job to consider others too. Did you have a Specsavers moment? ;)
Quite an informative video, albeit an active stage rather than a Step Up Transformer. On the other hand, a SUT containing two Lundahl LL1941 shielded transformers plays quite nicely with the
OriginLive Discovery 1. The noise floor is almost as low as that when using MM or HOMC cartridges.
Indeed. See the pinned comment :) Interesting comment re. the other kit, must have a try.
Waste of money to listen to noisy frequency limited vinyl
Paul, good review. Noticed that the images on the front show how the switches need to be lined up for a given resistance. No need for the manual.
Yes, I did refer to that in the video. For some users, I think more hand holding would have been useful.
@@TheAudiophileMan I didn't notice the yellow overlay since I was watching on my cell phone ::)
Yes, when I add little additions to the screen, they can be difficult to see on the small screen.