I've had the Audio Note (UK) AN-S4/L step-up transformer here for about six weeks now, and have been listening to it in combination with my Ortofon SPU Classic phono cartridge.

Audio Note (UK) AN-S4/L step-up transformer ($6198 USD).

The "L" version of the AN-S4 SUT has a 3 Ohm input impedance, and is primarily designed for use with the Audio Note (UK) IO range of phono cartridges (which I'll be trying it with as soon as I can get it installed on my Schick tonearm, probably this weekend).

Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge ($4,132.13 USD).

My Ortofon SPU Classic has an internal impedance of 2 Ohms, so that means that a complimentary SUT would have an input impedance of 6 Ohms to 8 Ohms, and the AN-S4/L SUT is 3 Ohms.

So actually, the AN-S4/LM SUT that is designed for 1- 2 Ohm phono cartridges would probably be a more appropriate match for my SPU. However, someone forgot to tell my SPU that, and it is sounding truly superb with the AN-S4/L.

Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnects ($754.57 USD).

Peter Qvortrup sent me a 1-meter pair of Audio Note (UK) AN-V silver interconnect cables for use with AN-S4/L SUT, to connect it to the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier (review HERE). 

AN-S4/L SUT, AN-V silver interconnect cables, and the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier.

I got the AN-S4/L SUT, AN-V silver interconnect cables, and the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier all installed together yesterday in my main music system (below).

I was really impressed with what I heard from my main music system yesterday, there's some serious synergy going on with the AN-S4/L SUT, AN-V silver ICs, and the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier.

Stags' Leap cabernet sauvignon and Rosemary Clooney.

This evening I poured myself a glass of Stags' Leap cabernet sauvignon, and put the Rosemary Clooney LP Rosemary Clooney Sings The Music Of Jimmy Van Heusen on the CTC Garrard 301 for a listen. 

This album features Rosemary Clooney on vocals, Warren Vaché Jr. on cornet, Scott Hamilton on tenor saxophone, John Oddo on piano, Ed Bickert and Emily Remler on guitars, Michael Moore on bass, and Joe Cocuzzo on drums. 

CTC Garrard 301

Rosemary Clooney Sings The Music of Jimmy Van Heusen, is a superb jazz album, and listening to it through the Audio Note (UK) AN-S4/L SUT, AN-V silver ICs, and the Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier, impressed the heck out of me.  

My first thought on listening to this album was that Rosemary Clooney is a seriously under-appreciated jazz singer - she's awesome! 

I bought this album mostly because it features a couple of my favorite jazz guitarists, Ed Bickert and Emily Remler, but Rosemary Clooney blew me away with her superb vocals.

Everyone in the band was truly impressive. Warren Vaché Jr.'s cornet playing was gorgeous, as was Scott Hamilton on tenor saxophone. John Oddo on piano was fantastic, and of course Ed Bickert and Emily Remler are amazing. Michael Moore on bass, and Joe Cocuzzo on drums, also deserve kudos for their performances.

Here's my most important take-away about the Audio Note (UK) AN-S4/L SUT and AN-V silver ICs serving up the music:

While listening, I didn't think about anything. I didn't notice the sound quality (even though it was impressive). I just got completely immersed in the musical performances, I marveled at the skill of the musicians, their beautiful tone, and I just reveled in how good it made me feel to hear them play their music. 

Tone was gorgeous, timbre was realistic, melodies came to life, beat moved the music along ... all the musical attributes were superbly portrayed. 

Yeah, yeah, all the audiophile BS of soundstage, imaging, etc., were excellent, yet they were rendered so utterly natural that I didn't really pay much attention to them, as they blended seamlessly into the music. I just reveled in the experience of the music. 

Only very rarely do I not have at least one nit to pick with equipment, but in this case, I ... didn't ... have ... even ... one ... nit ... to ... pick. 

The music took center stage, the listening experience was superb, and it was just one of those "Wow!" moments emotionally to hear how good the music can be. 

Audio Note (UK) IO I MC Phono Cartridge ($4,132.13 USD).

Next I'll tell you about what happens when I introduce the Audio Note (UK) IO I MC phono cartridge into the mix.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!