MCA1 Electronic Step Up Transformer
Picture coming soon
The MCA1 is an “electronic step up transformer (ESOT)” for use when upgrading from a MM to a MC cartridge without the need to change your existing MM phono stage in the same way that you would use a conventional “step up” transformer.
It is essentially the MC “Front end” of our flagship MCP1 dedicated moving coil phono stage.
The sound of a vinyl system is very much determined by the RIAA filter used in the phono stage and it if you upgrade your cartridge to moving coil you may not wish to change it!
A step up transformer will always colour the sound slightly and different SOTs will sound very different and you need to find one that suits your particular cartridge and your musical tastes.
The MCA1 allows you to upgrade your cartridge to a MC type with all the sound improvements that comes with it but keeps the sound of your original MM phono stage with virtually no colouration added by the MCA1.
The MCA1 does not suffer from magnetic loss as it is an electronic “current amplifier” and the minute amount of power needed to make it work is provided by a standard 9v alkaline battery.
The MCA1 needs no DIP or loading switches as the input impedance is set by the cartridge it is being used with. It is literally “Plug and listen”
The MCA1 has a 3 way gain switch on the back to optimize levels but as the gain switch is not in the signal path (The gain is set by altering the current flowing through the amplifier) there is no audio degradation introduced by the switch at all.
We have also had customers who have very good MC/MM phono stages but have found that because of the way the MCA1 works they get a better experience using their existing phono stage in MM with the MC1 rather that using the existing MC input on their phono stage.
One customer described it as “an amplifying piece of wire” after comparing it to his own very high end (and very good!) step up transformer.
As standard the MCA1 features a 4mm thick extruded aluminium case, a copper screened rear panel and our unique “artificial stone” front panel. resulting in an incredibly strong robust unit that should give the music lover many years of faithful service.
MCA1 Brief Specification
Gain
10/15/20dB
(Gain is set by rear panel switch)
S/N ratio
Adds 1-2db to existing phono stage noise.
Power requirements
9v DC 2mA (max) (0.018W)
Powered by 9v “PP3” alkaline battery
(Usually lasts 1-2 years)
Connectors
Phono (RCA jack) – input and output
3mm terminal post for turntable earth
Dimensions
140mm (Width)
70mm (Height)
165mm (Depth including connectors)
Weight
1.5kg