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Testimonials

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Bob:

I received the CineMag 1131 (Blue) SUT yesterday and put it in place when I got home. I put a record on and had a very similar experience to another user's experience reported on your web site.   At first, the mid-range was thin but detailed, the bass indistinct and the high end suppressed.  It remained that way for two albums and then started to open up. After approximately 10 LPs, the SUT had started to settle in and the results were amazing.  Bass was now deep, articulate, fast with a wealth of information.  Mid-range was palpable, saxes were incredible with all the breathing nuance and tonal reproduction spot on.  Orchestras were unbelievable with distinction among instruments readily apparent yet the whole was presented as it should, a seamless orchestra playing as one. High end was shimmering, distinct and accurate. My wife simply said it all: "wow!" 

In addition, macro and micro dynamics rendered the reproduction much more lifelike and clearly allowed playing technique and rhythm to come through.  Imaging is deeper and wider with a blacker background and more exact placement of instruments within the sound stage. It continued to improve through the night so I expect even better results than I received last night during about 3.5 hours of listening.

 In my system, Linn TT and arm, Miyajima Shalibe cartridge and Audible Illusions preamp, modified Shanling monoblocks and Von Schweikert VR4 JRs, V. 2, hum was eliminated by simply attaching the TT ground to the SUT grounding lug and not lifting the ground.  I am only hearing the residual hum in the system, which is negligible and only heard at extremely loud settings (i.e., no music on and at levels that would blow my ears and speakers to kingdom come). Adding an additional ground wire from the SUT to the preamplifier increased the hum.

 Call me satisfied. Also, if you haven't heard it, find Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Christmas album. Incredible performance, recording and pressing. It is what I closed last night with and was mind blowing.

 Kurt 
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Hi Bob,

 I have become a believer in SUT's for MC pickups. This is my first MC pickup (and first SUT) and I now see what all the fuss is about. I came from Grado; I've had a couple and they agreed with me since they sounded more like real instruments than others I'd tried. ( I am a former French Horn player, member of Boston Symphony and Canadian Brass and have had extensive exposure to live music and orchestras, and I have been an audiophile since my teens. I am now 66). I have a very nice collection of vinyl bought mostly new before CD's were around.

 The most impressive thing is the increase in dynamic range. This is puzzling, as this is not an active device, but the truth is in the listening. I have had passive preamps that compressed the dynamics noticeably. By the way, the low gain setting is perfectly adequate in my system. PLENTY of gain with my modified Adcom preamp. My volume control position is the same as CD's, the high gain setting was a bit too high, but certainly useable. The hum/noise level is also very low, again a surprise considering the low output of the A90. Low level detail, image density

 As a musician the two things that say "live" to my brain are large dynamic range and low noise floor. The 1131 gives me both!

If you need a testimonial, let me know. In the meantime I'll spread the gospel of Bob's!

David
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi Bob, 

I have some feedback, first off I have not been able to use it with the Eros phono since I have a bad tube and am currently getting it replaced.  I then hooked it up to my Ayre phono pre amp according to your recommendations.  I really thought the Ayre was exceptionally good and that it could not be made much better.  I thought maybe there would be an incremental improvement, this was not the case.  I actually cannot believe the improvement.  I am amazed.  Everything is better bass,  high frequency extension, low level detail, air, blackness, sound stage both width and depth, especially noticeable are the improvement in transients and overhang.  It has improved the sound of my whole system.  I have a pretty decent digital front end, Akurate DS, and it was fairly close in sound to my analog.  Not anymore, it almost makes my digital sound broken.  If I had an idea on how much the improvement would have been I would not have bought the Eros, however if it was not for the Eros I would have never bought the SUT.  

This was the most significant improvement I have noticed in my system.   

Thanks, even though it was pricey I am glad I went with the 1131.

Sam
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Hi Bob,

 You may recall that I purchased this combination, along with two new interconnects that you were kind enough to construct, about two months ago.  I am using the cartridge and SUT with a 27-year-old Conrad PV-5 pre-amp and C-J Premier Four amplifier, both all tube.  The PV-5 has a phono stage but with insufficient heft for the MC.  The turntable is the Rega 25 with the RB 600 arm.  I have incorporated the Riggle VTAF modification.  Your Cinemag 1131 is only perfect both for the Zu-Denon and for the pre-amp.  I connected a simple ground wire from the transformer to the ground on the pre-amp and have ZERO hum with the ground switch in the “lift” position.  The transformer switch is in the ‘low’ position.  The Denon demands some attention to VTA, but once dialed in (takes less than a minute) is incredible.

 To summarize, this a fan letter!  My vinyl collection contains musical information heretofore unheard by me.  The detail is astounding without a hint of analytical fatigue.  Bass is tight and “right.”  The midrange is sublime with ‘cellos, voices, oboes, etc. sounding as they should with much air for the instruments and “chest” for the singers.  I have been fooling around with stereo for 50 years, and this is the best bang for the buck ever.

 Thanks!

Scott Xxxxx,

Lancaster, PA
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HI BOB: I have spent a couple of hours listening to the cinemag transformer. I must agree with you it is a very fine transformer with the Denon 103R. It is also excellent with the Ortofon  SPU cartridge. I am very happy with my purchase. I must also compliment you for recommending the right transformer rather than the most expensive one. Thanks for adding to my musical pleasure with this fine Step-UP.  Regards:  Mark"

"Hi Bob.

My system is finally all set, and your CineMag sounds amazing with my Dynavector Xl1

Just unbelievable.

This is definitely my last step up. I'm not shopping for a step up anymore.

And thanks again for your generosity,'

Enjoy the music.

Elli."

"Hi.
I have connected the step-up yesterday on my DENON DL103R for the first time.
It was a real great moment of music.
The sound is really good.
Lot of détails and Bass and all and all.
Sorry for my english but I just want to thank you really.
Best regards.
Jean-Michel

Klipsch Cornwall
Amplifier Eico HF-81
Lenco GL88 turntable (Hand made)with Rek o Kut S160 tonearm rewired.
Denon DL103R
and Great Cinemag step-up transformer."

Hi Bob,

Got in late last night.  The first thing I did was warm up the system; I did not change anything.  I put on Shelby Lynn's "Just a little lovin'" just to tune my ears (in the current setup) to a well miked female voice.  Then I put your transformer in line and switch the MM 47k input and played the album again.  Unbelievable!! You are not getting this SUT back, even if you beg me.  After the Shelby Lynn, I had to play the original Dusty in Memphis and that is not as well miked, and a bit over produced, but the music!! And that is what this is all about: the music and your transformer has brought me much closer to the music.  Leaving again tomorrow morning, but in the mean time I am going though LP and LP and hearing them like I have never heard them before.

 Thanks,

Charles

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"Dear Bob,

The transformer arrived last Wednesday but had no time to unpack it and listen till yesterday, Saturday. First impressions were that it looked great: very well designed and built. Normally by now I would have opened it up to check out your soldering and layout, but frankly I haven't felt the need - it sounds so nice I've just been listening to music.

The output on 20x results in a fairly close level match with my CD player, which is very convenient. The sound is open and airy in the mid-range with apparently no loss at the frequency extremes. Indeed on some LPs I am hearing a somewhat fuller bass (a bit looser and not always accurate), but I don't think I can attribute this to the transformer itself. I get the impression it is pretty transparent and I'm listening more to the cartridge and, in the case of the slight bass bloom, the arm/cartridge interaction than to the Cine-Mags (I suspect a mismatch bewteen my Dynavector DV17-3 mc and the lightweight SME series III).

Irrespective of this slight 'bloom' I find I am listening more to the music than before. With a Graham Slee Elevator feeding the Bottlehead I was often on edge because of RF breakthrough and a general 'hi-fi' sheen.  The Cine-Mags restore the open, airy sound of the Bottlehead and just don't seem to get in the way. As a great bonus your design is exceptionally quiet. With 'ground' connected I can detect no hum arising from the Cine-Mags at all - all I am hearing is some low noise from the Amperex tubes in my Bottlehead Seduction.

All in all, this is an excellent audio bargain, a 'keeper' as they say (even with #42 VAT added by UK Customs). Out of curiosity at some point I will compare the Cine-Mags to an expensive Audio Note or Stevens and Billington design ($2000+), and I will be getting a better arm soon, but for now I just intend to forget about the phono-amp side and listen to the music.

Cheers,
Tim"

 "Good morning Bob,

   I had recieved the "device" on friday as per.when I opened the box and removed the unit I thought boy o boy what a cuuute little sut!!! I am also delighted with the configuration as it will allow me to shorten the tonearm cable and set this cuuute unit next to the 'table. most impartantly, apon checking out this cuuuute unit I found the irritating upper mid/ low terble raspiness was replaced with a large smooth coherant soundstage with good transient attack and good tight and deep bass! I am going to have this "device" have a shoot-out aganst an EAR MC-4 and will let you know what happens (if you don't already) !"

" ...............................I had time last night to check the performace of the mc-4 vs the tiny cinemag and the difference was dramatically in favor of the cinemag!!!! frankly I was going to use the less expensive cinemag sut untill I could afford something like the ear but now that theory is out.  this supports that sometimes various equipment can complement each other but may not be giving the best performance.the 'other system' had an origin 'table and arm and a PRE_AMP and my front end is a TERES 'table PHANTOM arm and no and I mean NO PRE-AMP! instead I use a TRANSFORMER attenuator and my phono stage is D.C. fed and is the whole system is performing MUCH better than the OTHER system! I was not as aware of this discrepancy when I went to my friends house all seemed to work okay and we would just enjoy a session of spinning vinyl. now all of that is changed and my buddy is going to have to do some serious changes to his system!!  anyway I am NOT going to seek a different sut at this time and the only way I'll change is if I can make a direct comparison. ...................Tom"

"First impressions were that it looked great: very well designed and built....it sounds so nice I've just been listening to music....The output on 30x results in a fairly close level match with my CD player, which is very convenient.... The sound is open and airy in the mid-range with apparently no loss at the frequency extremes.... The Cine-Mags restore the open, airy sound of the Bottlehead and just don't seem to get in the way. As a great bonus your design is exceptionally quiet. With 'ground' connected I can detect no hum arising from the Cine-Mags at all - all I am hearing is some low noise from the Amperex tubes in my Bottlehead Seduction....All in all, this is an excellent audio bargain, a 'keeper' as they say....for now I just intend to forget about the phono-amp side and listen to the music."
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Bob:  I received the Cinemag on Monday, and I had a nearby dealer manufacture a wire that we discussed on this thread for me.  I hooked the Cinemag to the MM stage of my Art Audio Reference.  All I can say is that the SPU no longer sounds cardboard like flat.  It has a lot more midrange "bloom" and much better bass response.  The cartridge is not meant to have real sparkly highs, which with my system would tear my head off.  I believe that if one of the major companies manufactured this device, they would have put it in a much fancier package and charged 2 to 3 times more for it.  I now firmly believe that if someone was looking to get a phono stage, a strictly MM one and a transformer like yours, which works with a large variety of carts,  would be the way to go.

 Thanks again,

Hi Bob,

i just tried this little thing..and it sound really amazing!!!!  I think about all the people that are saying since years that dl 103 ha too much highs..they never tried s proper SUP!!!
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Hello Bob

 Just to let you know that it is up and running.  It is working very well and I am pleased with the purchase.  The Denon 103R wood body seems to have gone up a distinct notch in its performance.  I using it into the EAR 324 mm input. I am presently testing the 17d3 with the SUT into the Nagra PL P  and it is sounding great too.  No hum whatsoever.  Thanks again.

……….Just a further up-date.  The SUT with the Denon 103R Uwe panzerholz wood body is down- right magnificent. If don’t have an Uwe wood body for your denon you should get one. The SUT is ‘fed’ into a Nagra PL P (internal transformers by-passed) and signals taken from the Tape Out. Alternatively thru’ an EAR324 via the mc/mm input. I think supporting it with 3 Stillpoint  cones (without risers) enhances the performance even further.

Lee-Sai
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I want to compliment you as I think your research has paid off. I am now getting a better sound with a less expensive phono stage and after changing my wall outlet to a cryogenically treated outlet, and using your SUT, the sound is drawing me back to play records more, which in my mind reflects the quality of success of your SUT design, and for this I am very grateful ! My stereo system now sounds fantastic. I am sharing this good news with all of my local audio friends.

regards,
Ted
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Hello Bob:

Hi Bob, I just wanted you to know that I am very happy with the Sowter SUT i got last week. I have to say that I can't hear any down side. Everything is better. Recordings I have heard a million times like Glen Gould's Goldberg Variations just sounds more natural and more involving. The soundstaging is spectacular. But the bottom line is everything is more musical. I wish I had done this sooner. I think there is whole bunch of people who are listening to moving coils that are not getting what they paid for. Bob, brilliant job! Tom Martin
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Hi Bob

Just to let you know that my Cine-Mag with the balanced XLR option arrived last Friday and after a couple of days listening I'd like to tell you that I'm delighted with it.

Fantastic build quality and sound to match, as for the service well it doesn't get any better, two weeks from order to delivery for a custom build sent from the US to the UK is simply amazing, thank you so much.

Best regards, Ralph.
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06-26-10: 213cobra
I use a Bob's Devices Cinemag SUT, among other transformers, with Denon 103 and Ortofon SPU cartridges. The Cinemag has quite an objective sound, not dark nor florid, but harmonically rich and tonally correct. I have Koetsu and EAR transformers, and have used many other notable transformers in the past. The Cinemag is quietly correct, unerringly musical, detailed in the way natural acoustic music is enlivened by transient events, and with two-position gain, eminently matchable to a range of cartridges. It works quite well with Koetsu, SPU and has a special affinity for Denon moving coils.

Phil
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Eureka! you-we nailed it! My god...this is audioheaven on earth...!

I´d just put Kari Bremnäs "Over en by" (Norwegian artist, very good sound) Lp. From the first note it´s just terrific,very natural,better bas, wellresolved, wellbalanced. My analog sound is now in the way I have always whished it to be..I feel very relaxed in front of my hi-fi rig. If you ever hear about this combination Windfeld-Leben again you can recommend the Altec 4722 as a perfect mctrafomatch.    .........................................

Hi Bob,

         A quick note to say that I've received the SUT today - UK customs having held on to it for around five days including the weekend.  By the time it arrived I was really chafing at the bit and had all the wiring ready and waiting to hook it into the system.  I've been using the Denon with my Trichord Dino+ in the interim and have been pretty well pleased with it, but having played one side of one record with the CineMags in place I can hear what all the fuss is about - having Carly Simon in the same room is a long held fantasy of mine but i guess I got as close as I ever will this afternoon.  Will send you a more considered opinion when I've spun a few more albums but I doubt it gets any better than that.

Bob,