This is the third and final instalment of my 2024 adventures with Step-Up Transformers (SUTs). My introduction came many years ago, but I never inquired about them further. I was unfamiliar with their use and mistakenly thought a quality phono stage ended the analog amplification journey. Thank you to my friend John Stratton of Pure Fidelity for alerting me to how a quality Step-Up Transformer can elevate your analogue system in ways you may never have expected.

Stratton sent over the small and shiny EAR Yoshino MC4 Step-Up Transformer (USD 2500) for an Audiophilia audition. After a few minutes in my system, I was hooked by its alchemical effects. And because of my naiveté, I was surprised by the sound it produced.

Stratton also sent over his reference, the glorious-looking IKEDA 201-IST Step-Up Transformer (USD 5400), a very expensive Japanese nugget of a component. Like the EAR, it was superb and placed all the notes from my system on an even more magical carpet ride.

And now, to the Allnic Audio AUT-8000 Step-Up Transformer. A larger SUT, matte black (also in silver) and priced at a hefty USD 4800. The unit is handmade and wound in South Korea by Kang Su Park, the famous designer of Allnic’s phono stages, preamplifiers, amplifiers and cables. I’m conversant with many of Allnic’s superb products (you’ll find full reviews of many in Audiophilia). I was delighted that Don Corby of Corby’s Audio sent me an 8000 for review. Corby’s is Allnic’s Canadian distributor; FYI, the US distributor is Kevalin Audio.

My Use

I'd like you to please read the intro paragraphs of either of the linked reviews above to learn how a SUT works and its effect on your system. They’re fascinating and deceptively simple passive devices. However, it’s important to note that transformer winding, the “recipe” if you will, is the most important aspect of a quality SUT. And no one did it better than Tim de Paravicini of EAR and the magicians of the super high-end Japanese manufacturers such as IKEDA, Phasemation and Air Tight. As I unboxed the 8000, I wondered how Kang Su Park got on.

If you want to get into the weeds with transformer turn ratios, impedance ratios and the like, all you’ll ever need is here.

I paired the 8000 with my 2024 vinyl reference system. All three reviewed SUTs have enjoyed the ancillary components. The system allowed each SUT’s individual qualities to shine.

If you compare the Allnic fascia to the EAR and IKEDA units, the 8000 is much larger and with all the accommodating buttons and knobs displayed upfront. The dual-inputs, variable gain and impedance loading AUT-8000 features the same silver-wound transformers as Allnic’s flagship USD 36,000 H-8000 DHT phono-stage (a custom silver-wound permalloy transformer system). The chassis is typical Allnic robust aluminum (2kg CNC milled).

The two large knobs on each side (left and right channel) display gain settings and a central smaller knob gives four choices for impedance (10K, 20K, 30K, 47K). You also have inputs for two MC cartridges. You’ll have fun experimenting on the fly with dB choices. As for impedance, try different settings, but 10K sounded right to me.

The AUT-8000 silver-wound MC step-up replaces the discontinued AUT-2000. The new 8000’s functionality will work with a variety of moving coil cartridges.

The gain settings are:

10 X / +22dB Gain
15 X / +26dB Gain
20 X / +28dB gain
30 X / +32dB Gain

Allnic describes the inner workings: Different brands and models of phono stage pre-amplifiers apply different voltage gains. The AUT-8000 Step-up Transformer features gain selectivity, an excellent square wave response over a broad frequency range, and an extremely low noise level. Conventional gain-selectable step-up transformers provide voltage gain selectivity by using several primary windings connected to an external selector switch. Allnic Audio takes a different approach. The AUT-8000 is built with both the transformer and the selector switch embedded within a single block of mu-metal shielded casing.

I placed my unit on the bottom rack, well away from other sources. No hum was heard—the phono cable was grounded to the rear of the 8000.

Sound

After some serious break-in and experimenting with the settings, I settled on 10K impedance and 26 dB of gain as the best sounding for my particular taste and situation. Unlike the IKEDA, which is definitely a one-cart woman, I think the 8000’s functionality will benefit a wide variety of tastes and cartridges (much like the EAR MC4).

Like the two other SUT reviews, I began the serious auditioning with the fleet, delightful “Queen Mab” Scherzo from Berlioz’s 1839 masterpiece Roméo et Juliette. The original pressing has the famous crackerjack ensemble of the 1960s Boston Symphony Orchestra—famous soloists, flawless ensemble and the most beautiful tonal characteristics emanating from their great hall and captured to perfection by the RCA engineers.

This masterful track tells me much of what I need to know about a SUT. Later in the side, some explosive dynamics test how quick a SUT is on its feet, but it’s the opening muted violins whizzing at top speed with accompanying horns and woodwinds (and bells) that impress me most. Lots of that fairy dust I’ve been banging on about in the previous two SUT reviews. The 8000 sprinkled its magic, but I feel King Su Park’s winding recipe (or maybe the use of silver) made for a different experience. Yes, the sweetness heard with the EAR and IKEDA was there, with possibly even more micro detail than either, but the air around the instruments was not as pronounced and therefore the ultimate sweetness of the violins was lessened slightly.

As I pick through the weeds for you, which is a common theme when reviewing SUTs of such quality, we are down to below ground in choosing which is best for what. All three did justice to my Phasemation EA-350 and if I had heard the Allnic first, ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. As such, if it’s already in your system or you are a confirmed Allnicphile, count yourself lucky. You own a first-class, well-designed, well-wound Step-Up Transformer. However, that’s only a rainbow-coloured overview.

As I was keeping one of these units, regardless of price (I’m lucky enough to be able to receive an accommodation price for each SUT, usually 30 to 40 points off), I wanted the one that spoke musically to me the best. And that was going to take time. Four months of listening, much of it with the same LPs for each unit.

Much like the other two SUTs, the 8000 drops the noise floor to allow subtleties through and casts a large, delicate translucence over the soundstage. It transforms the already delightful Phasemation EA-350 into a super phono, exactly what you want out of an expensive transformer.

The tonal qualities of the EA-350, rich, accurate centred notes with appropriate overtones were maintained by the Allnic. Like the other wonderful high-quality analog add-ons of all types, the Allnic “does no harm”.

What I liked most about the 8000 was along with plenty of sparkle, it never allowed the musical energy to be robbed in any way. So Two Against Nature, the latter-day Steely Dan digital LP gem, had drive and punch and when music was appropriately quiet and gentle, as in Vashti Bunyan’s Just Another Diamond Day, all the subtleties were heard. Much like the other two SUTs, absolutely beguiling to listen to.

Summary

So, to the good stuff. What is it about the Allnic that makes it special in a super specialized analog subcategory and which, of the three, did I choose to purchase for my reference system?

Without being wishy-washy, you can choose any of the three—they all have exceptional qualities you’ll want from a SUT. To be sure, if you’re going to spend at least USD 2500 on an analog upgrade, try and hear the unit in your system before choosing. Your cartridge specs, your musical wants and needs, the repertoire you prefer, and many other things that will guide your purchase.

If budget is your main concern, I can recommend the USD 2500 EAR MC4 without reservation. It’s outstanding, a “Star Component” and was my “first” SUT love. Six months ago, it introduced me to what a great SUT can do for your system.

As such, it “transformed” mine. But let’s be honest, transformative numbers with vinylphiles are crazy subjective. One man’s 5% improvement is another’s 10%. And what the hell do the numbers have to do with the price of fish, anyway? As the kids say, YMMV.

That said, the EAR would be my third choice. And I’d “be happy as a little girl” with it in my system.

So, we’re down to Japan v Korea. A reminder that with any of the three reviewed, a lengthy break-in is imperative (100 hours, good, 200, much better). Many details revealed themselves after the 100-hour mark, and many, many more after 200. The silver-wound transformers of the Allnic, especially so. In fact, it was third in out-of-the-box performance. Very good, but the break-in was especially effective with the 8000 where it sounded its considerable best after 200 hours.

What finally tipped the scales for me to the IKEDA IST-201 was the ultimate realism of instrumental timbre. It had me sitting in my flute position in the orchestra surrounded by the fabulous BSO soloists, with all their breath support, articulation, vibrato, and all the other characteristics that make them such individual artists. The Allnic pipped the IKEDA to the post with macro dynamics—they are truly explosive. But for me, timbre and soundstage won out. Plus, the 201 is the looker of the three if that’s important to you. It is to me.

Back to the splendid Allnic Audio AUT-8000 MC Step-Up Transformer at USD 4800.

Seems like the USD 5400 IKEDA, getting that final few percent of musical improvement over the bargain EAR, is going to cost us vinylphiles some serious bucks. $2900 over the EAR for the IKEDA sound and $2300 over the MC4 for the Allnic.

Like all expensive analog upgrades, a dilemma. So much great gear from which to choose. I chose IKEDA, you may choose EAR or Allnic. But hear them first. In the here and now from my listening room to yours, I’m very happy to award yet another Audiophilia Star Component Award for yet another superb SUT, the Allnic Audio AUT-8000 MC Step-Up Transformer. Very highly recommended.

Further information: Allnic Audio