EAR (Esoteric Audio Research) Yoshino MC4 - Moving Coil Step-up Transformer - NEW!
An Ideal Transformer must by definition transform one kind of energy to another without loss no more or no less. We have achieved results for audio close to the ideal, for it will allow the very best of Moving Coil cartridges to extract the most possible information out of the groove. Most Active Head Amps have many flaws which inhibit the release of all the possible information out of the groove because the laws of economics and physics prohibits most designers from achieving the ideal, which is wide bandwidth minimal time distortion, minimum noise contribution, and maximum protection from external influences. The Moving Coil cartridge is a much more efficient converter of energy than Moving Magnet but has the great disadvantage that its voltage ouput is not really practical for most amplifier technology to handle it. So if we take its product of voltage times current and transform it to a suitable form for most amplifiers to handle it we then find that we actually have gained an advance over the Moving Magnet in noise figures of at least 6dB. This means that we can achieve 90dB of dynamic range that the record potentially offers. SPECIFICATIONS Frequency Response 3Hz- 100KHz +0.2dB-1.0dB Phase Linearity Less than ±5 degrees (20-20KHz) Rise Time 2lsecs (any level) Channel Balance Less than 0.1dB Channel Separation Greater than 70dB (20-20KHz) Hum Rejection Greater than 60dB (External Magnetic Fields) Equivalent Noise Contribution Less than 1dB Voltage Gain X30, x24, x18, x10 Input Impedances (nominal) 3 ohm, 6 ohm, 12 ohm, & 40 ohm
Review: The EAR MC 4 is the step up transformer for the high-end connoisseur who wants and demands the very best. I could find nothing to criticize, no changes to make, and no quibbles to discuss. Not even broken in, the MC4 embarrassed my Ortofon transformer. I cannot possibly envision a better product or something that is more neutral, musical, or powerful than the MC4. Killer good! The EAR MC4 receives my highest recommendation and congratulations to Tim de Paravicini, both the King of Tubes and the King of Transformers!