Pro-Ject MC Step-Up Box S3 Passive Step-Up Transformer - Pro-Ject
A New/Old Way to Upgrade Your MC
Low output MC cartridges send an output that’s about a tenth the output of MM cartridges. This means they require a specialty phono preamp with more gain & different electrical parameters… unless you add a step-up transformer to prep the signal for your MM phono stage!
The MC Step-Up Box S3 works very differently from a phono preamplifier. The windings ratio of the transformer determines the gain factor. As it’s a passive device that doesn’t require a power supply, no additional power can be produced. The increase in voltage is achieved through a corresponding decrease in current.
As there is no amplification, the MC Step-Up Box S3 is remarkably low in noise & distortion with a lively, dynamic & natural sonic signature.
Why Use a Step-Up Transformer?
Once upon a time, step-up transformers were all but required for the optimal handling of a low output MC cartridge’s signal. Active amplification technology was simply too noisy back then (defeating the purpose of the low output design). A step-up transformer removes active amplification from the equation & passively boosts the signal the old-fashioned way. Operating entirely apart from mains power, it’s an opportunity to silently add 21 or 24dB, which amounts to an output that’s comparable to MM cartridges (this is why a step-up transformer’s output is connected to an MM phono preamp input). Needless to say, modern active amplification has improved by leaps & bounds. MC phono preamps can apply all the necessary gain without inducing excessive noise levels… yet there remains a niche population of critical listeners who continue to swear by the performance of the step-up transformer. It’s just a different approach that, pending your low output cartridge and MM preamp, may be just what you’re after!
Designed & Handmade in Europe
The Step-Up Box S3 is carefully designed and handmade in Europe. Our goal is to develop a technically flawless device in a housing that is only as big as necessary. Due to the timeless design & rigid aluminum chassis, the MC Step Up Box S3 is built to last an eternity. With high-quality materials & components and a well-thought-out design, Pro-Ject brings the concept of MC step-up transformers back into the conversation.
Product Details:
- 1:16 transformer ratio
- Mu-metal transformer shielding
- Input impedance matching (10 or 100 ohms)
- Dual-mono design principle
- High channel separation
- Gold-plated RCA terminals
- Frequency response: 10Hz – 55kHz (+/- 1dB)
- Gain at 10-40 ohms: 21dB at 1kHz
- Gain at 40-150 ohms: 24dB at 1kHz
- Recommended load: 47k ohms / 100pF
- Input: 1x pair RCA phono sockets
- Output: 1x pair RCA phono sockets
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 206 x 65 x 164mm
- Dimensions (standard): 8.11 x 2.56 x 6.46″v
- Mass (weight): 940g (2.07 lbs)
- Black Version: EAN: 9120129860383
- Silver Version: 9120129860390
What to expect in the box:
Audiolab Stereo & Video Center
