T-550 Step Up Transformer/MC

T-550 MC Step-up Transformer - A phono-balanced step-up transformer for MC cartridges that reveals the music's realism and the artist’s true passion.

Building on the award-winning T-1000, the T-550 MC step-up transformer incorporates advanced magnetic flux control technology and an enhanced mounting structure. Featuring a 10mm thick aluminum slant panel design shared with newer models like the EA-350, the T-550 delivers rich spatial expression and detailed sound reproduction previously unattainable in conventional products.

Adopting a strong chassis structure that follows the T-1000 design
The front panel is a rigid box structure having a 10mm thick slanted aluminum panel, a 1.2mm thick copper plating board chassis, and a 1.6mm thick copper plating cover. Non-magnetic stainless steel screws are used for assembly to ensure rigidity and reduce magnetic distortion.

In addition, the transformer itself is floating on the main unit with a high damping rubber material and prevents the transmission of external vibrations.

Also electrically speaking, by placing a magnetic shield material near the transformer can bring about the reduction of external induction hums and magnetic distortion.

The Input Portion Supporting a Phono Balanced Transmission
When generating power through a cartridge coil, a balanced operation is conducted essentially. Transmitting this signal with an unbalanced connection results in not only losing the worth of a balanced type, but also the sound quality is directly affected by external noises.

MC step-up transformer due to a special split winding structure developed by us.
We adopted our original divided winding wire structure. By winding a low-loss ultra-thick copper wire around a large EI core made of a 0.2mm thick 78% permalloy material, we brought into effect an outstanding frequency characteristic and phase characteristic at a wide band. This achieves outstanding characteristics of excellent linearity for low frequency and high-efficiency gain which reduces phase distortion in the audible band range and brings about a threadlike spatial expression and clearer sound image localization that can fill vitality over the entire range.

Adoption of Parts With High Sound Quality
We adopted carved gold-plated terminals for the input/output terminals.

Caution

• The XLR or RCA, only one can be used for the input. If two are used at the same time, it can be the cause for noises to generate.
• This device is designed for a balanced connection due to a 2-core shielded wire.

• Best Cartridge’s Output Impedance*1:  1.5 – 40 ohms
• Load Impedance:  47k ohms
• Gain:  26dB
• Frequency Range:  10 – 50kHz (+2dB)
• Frequency:  Response
• Dimensions:  W: 174 x H: 90 x D: 173
• Weight:  2.1kg
• Input / Output Terminals (XLR, RCA):  Gold Plated Terminals

*1: The cartridge that can be used has an output impedance of 1.5 – 40 ohms.