Step Up Transformer Questions

[whittington]

Circumstance:
I still consider myself a newbie. I built a Kaiju some years ago. I have a new Beepree ll kit on the way. (Yeah!!) I also ordered today an Eros Phono Preamp. In the mail, I have a Thorens 121 on the way accompanied by a Jelco SA-750 (LAD version). I have my heart set on a Denon DL-103r for my entry into the MC foray. I am somewhat overwhelmed with the SUT equations etc...     But, I have my eye on a pair of Altec Lancing Peerless 4722s. I have read those would work fine for this cartridge and arm.

Question:
I am imagining mounting these transformers on top of the Eros. They are a socket mounted component. Is there a sheilding issue or other frequency concern that would discourage me from attempting this? Or should I use an aluminum box not mounted to or near the other components and amplifiers?
I see two black plugs(?) on the picture of the Eros. Are those relative to this question?

[Jay]

Yes, the Eros 2 is designed to accept SUTs on the chassis plate.  From the product page: "We also added mounting holes for moving coil step-up transformers in an optimal location." Somewhere on the site is some discussion of how to incorporate them. I believe you will really enjoy your Eros!

[Jay]

See this forum thread: https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=11097.0

[Tubegopher]

The Altec 4722s are an excellent way to "step up". I used them for quite awhile and actually preferred them to some expensive Bent Audio step up transformers.  I used the Denon DL-103 MC cartridge for a couple of years. I actually felt like for my system, that the Grace F9 cartridge with a Soundsmith ruby cantilever stylus was an improvement. The Grace F9 is a moving magnet cartridge and it does not need a step up transformer, so there is one less thing in the signal path.
You may want to check out Peter's site Soundsmith.com.

[whittington]

Thank you Tubegopher. I am looking at Soundsmith now.

[Paul Birkeland]

The 4722s have gotten incredibly expensive.  These were great step-up transformers ten years ago when you could buy a pair for $100,  but now they are more like $400 and that's about 2x the price of a good pair of new step-up transformers that will just mount right into the holes we provide on the Eros chassis. 

If you wanted to mount 4722s onto an Eros, you'd have to enlarge the holes we provide and add holes for mounting screws, then add octal sockets.

[Doc B.]

I agree with PB on this. Yet another case of something being really nice for the money when they were reasonably priced, but that price having exceeded the value. Short of my fantasy 6c45pi active step up preamp that we could never get to be quiet enough, the best combo to my ear has been an Eros with a Sowter step up.