What is the MCX and who needs it?

Like so many people, I had assumed that
moving coil step-up transformers were a relic
from the past. Well-designed, modern phono
preamps can achieve plenty of gain at very
low noise AND a very intimate connection
with the music. Adding a step-up transformer into the signal path seemed like an expensive, unnecessary,
and detrimental complication.

But, contrary to this, the popularity of SUT (Step Up Transformer) is on the upswing. So many people were telling me how putting a good SUT in front of their phono preamp brought out a rich, lush and emotive character that was completely seductive. People were passionate about the sound quality.

I realized it was time to take a serious look at the role a SUT could play in vinyl playback.

The MCX is just such a mono phono preamp