Sometimes I mix business with pleasure.
Come to think of it I always find pleasure in this business, something I hope comes through in my writing.
Part of the job of reviewing, one of the requirements, is to have the tools of the trade on hand come what may and I admit to being remiss when it comes to playing records. Shame on me as many an integrated amplifier that comes through the Barn for review offer, sometimes optionally, a built-in MM phono input.
While I own a MM cartridge I have another admission to make—I greatly prefer my two MC cartridges—the Zu Audio Zu/DL-103 Mk.II and the EMT HSD-006. I love ‘em both while I like the MM Ortofon 2M Black and I prefer to love listening to records making a step up the much needed gain-matching Cupid for the analog portion of my reviews.
To fill in the rest of the picture, I own a Michell Gyro SE with a Sorane SA1.2 tonearm and a 1970s era Technics SP-15.
All to say I’ve been thinking about getting a step up transformer for a while. A good long while and part of the hesitation was due to the abundance of choices—there are too many step ups out there to count ranging in price from hundreds to thousands (and more). What’s more, some are designed with specific cartridge loads in mind while others offer some flexibility by way of selectable settings and it can be the case that figuring out the best step up mate for your MC cartridge involves math (when considering gain, impedance, turns ratio…), something I try to avoid like the audiophile plague of playing Jazz at the Pawnshop.
But wait! What’s a step up transformer do? In brief, a step up is a passive device that amplifies the low-level output of a Moving Coil cartridge so it is compatible with a higher-level Moving Magnet input.
Seeing as I already own (and love) the Aurorasound VIDA MK.II Phono Stage that offers MM and MC inputs and enough loading options to suit my needs, I need a step up for reviews so it needs to work with both of my MC cartridges, ideally offer some flexibility to work with others, do its job without adding its own strong sonic signature, offer robust build quality, and not cost a small fortune. I also did not want to get into reviewing step ups and spend real time, months, doing A/B comparisons because as I said up front my needs are more parts facility than flavor.
On that note and as time goes by I am of the general opinion that a source should not add too strong a flavor of its own and instead send along a lovely clean, clear and full-figured signal for the amplifier/speaker/room to do its thing which unavoidably adds lots more flavor. But that flavor is where the real fun comes in as it’s where we get all of our senses, tastes, and preferences involved in finding a hif that we love. Personality if you will, and I am also of the mind that trying to put together a hifi that is completely devoid of flavor is like trying to have a meaningful relationship with a blow-up doll.
Did I mention I also prefer simple? And buying from companies I like and have, ideally, experience with some of their other products? Obviously Aurorasound fits that bill as I’ve reviewed their HFSA-01 Integrated Amplifier (review) and the VIDA Prima Phono Stage (review) so the AFE-12 MC Step Up Transformer seemed the perfect tool for my trade and I’ve been living with one for over a month, letting it play lots of records with the Zu/DL-103 Mk.II and the HSD-006, mainly using the MM input of the Aurorasound HFSA-02 Integrated amp that’s in for review (more info) driving my DeVore O/96 speakers on the Barn’s A-Side.
As you can see, the AFE-12 is very nicely made and offers three load options via a toggle switch:
Low: 0.7 – 10 Ohms
Mid: 11 – 30 Ohms
High: 31 – 100 Ohms
About the size of a deck of cards, the AFE-12 uses Lundhal transformers, something common among Aurorasound products, and can be easily tucked away—just don’t use anaconda-sized cables as they will toss this little 0.5 lb. step up around like Jon Voight with a comically bad Paraguayan accent.
I initially put time on the AFE-12 without paying too much attention to let things settle in and when I finally sat down to listen I heard what I expected to hear—that wonderful Aurorasound sound that manages to combine highly refined clarity with rich full body, a sound I’ve come to enjoy. A lot. I will also share that I had a few friends over who are also in the business and pleasure of hifi and we listened to records, everyone got turns picking, with big smiles all around at the quality of sound that saw its first and critical stage of amplification being handled by a $799 step up. Not a small fortune.
While I wasn’t surprised, I was and remain nonetheless thrilled with what the little Aurorasound AFE-12 MC Step Up Transformer does (and doesn’t do) record after record.
As they say in the business and I say with pleasure, I bought it.
Aurorasound AFE-12 MC Step Up Transformer
Price: $799
Company Website: Aurorasound
US Distributor Website: highend-electronics
Features
- Lundahl MC transformer – Transparent sound without coloration, unaltered cartridge characteristics
- Selectable load for cartridges internal impedance, 3 positions: Low 0.7 – 10 Ohms | Mid 11 – 30 Ohms | High 31 – 100 Ohms
- Small, robust case, gold-plated connectors
- Pure cotton stuffing used for damping and reduction of vibrations
Specifications
Input: RCA – connect the cables from the player that equipes MC
Output: RCA – goes to MM input of phono stage amplifier
Cartridge Impedance select: 3 positions High / Mid / Low
Gain: 26db at low position
Frequency response: 20Hz – 50kHz, -3dB
Size (W x D x H): 70 x 30 x 95mm
Weight: 244g