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The MCTX has been designed to complement any moving magnet (MM) phono preamplifier, providing a simple and efficient solution for those who wish to switch to a moving coil (MC) cartridge without replacing their existing equipment. Just connect it between your turntable and your phono preamplifier to enjoy exceptional sound. Its versatile design ensures compatibility with virtually any MC cartridge and amplifier.
Optimized Performance for MC Cartridges
This transformer has been developed to maximize the performance of moving coil cartridges, such as those used in our PS1 and PS3 phono preamplifiers. Due to high demand from our customers, we decided to offer it as a standalone unit, making it easy to integrate with any phono preamp.
The Story Behind the MCTX
"Several years ago, when I was working as a buyer for a high-fidelity retailer, I had the opportunity to visit the factory of a renowned cartridge manufacturer in Denmark. During my visit, I attended several seminars on cartridge manufacturing and how to optimize their performance. From that experience, I learned two key lessons:"
MM cartridges have a significant limitation, as they tend to resonate at high frequencies, causing distortion and noise. This is one of the reasons why MC cartridges provide superior sound quality.
MC cartridges perform best with a step-up transformer rather than an active gain stage. This is because transformers offer optimal impedance and gain for this purpose without introducing additional noise or distortion.
Some phono preamplifiers include an MC gain stage based on inexpensive microchips, but their performance is often disappointing, adding noise and making the sound lose its natural character. A high-quality transformer, on the other hand, preserves the fidelity of the original audio without adding interference or artificiality.
Premium Build Quality and Materials
To ensure outstanding performance, we use high-quality transformers made with oxygen-free copper, hand-wound with ultra-thin wire over rare-earth metal cores. They also feature a triple Mu-metal shielding, which minimizes hum and interference pickup.
These transformers are housed in a robust stainless steel and alloy chassis, with high-quality gold-plated terminals for flawless connectivity. The solid construction not only guarantees maximum protection against noise and vibrations but also extends the lifespan of the equipment.
Many mid-range phono preamplifiers rely on cheap chip-based solutions to amplify MC cartridge signals, often resulting in unsatisfactory performance. In high-end systems, the preferred option is always a well-designed step-up transformer, providing a more natural interaction between the cartridge and the preamplifier.
While a transformer is more expensive than a transistor-based gain amplifier, the improvement in sound quality is remarkable and fully justifies the investment. With the MCTX, you get an affordable yet significant upgrade for your audio system. We are confident you will be pleased with the results.
Simple and affordable upgrade for moving coil cartridges.
Superior performance compared to transistor or op-amp-based amplifiers.
PCB-free design, avoiding unwanted alterations to the sound.
Compatible with cartridges requiring between 10 and 500 ohms.
Low output impedance for better adaptation to your preamplifier.
47 kΩ preamp input (adjustable between 30-100 kΩ).
"Bypass" switch to toggle between MM and MC cartridges.
Gain of x10 / 20 dB (x1 in Bypass mode).
Signal-to-noise ratio: -90 dB.
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz (-1 dB).
Hand-wired point-to-point with silver-plated PTFE audio cable.
Gold-plated input and output terminals.
British-made transformers.
If you want to enhance your audio system without compromising the essence of the original sound, the MCTX is the perfect choice. Its optimized design and premium-quality materials ensure an uncompromised sonic experience.
