Rothwell Audio MCL Moving Coil Step-Up Transformer

Code: ROTHMCL
  • £585.00
  • (FREE UK Delivery)
Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Loading...

The MCL is a step-up transformer designed to raise the output of moving coil cartridges up to a level compatible with moving magnet phono stages. It's purpose is not simply to allow moving coil cartridges to be used with moving magnet only phono stages (which most valve designs are, for example), but to allow moving coil cartridges the chance to realise their full potential.

Ask A Question
Tell A Friend
Add To Compare
Transformers have much more benign distortion characteristics than active circuits and they are capable of producing a truly sublime soundstage with detail and separation unsurpassed by the more common transistor and op-amp alternatives. Don't be misled that transformers are an audio anachronism long since made obsolete by the wonders of modern solid state technology - they're not. The reason that they are so rarely seen nowadays is that transformers are incredibly expensive compared to transistors and chips. A complete moving coil compatible phono stage is obviously more convenient than a separate transformer and moving magnet phono stage, and a moving coil phono stage made entirely with solid state circuitry is considerably cheaper to produce than one with transformers, hence the rarity of moving coil step-up transformers. This is shame because many audiophiles have never even heard a transformer coupled moving coil cartridge and don't know how good it can sound.
 
The MCL uses transformers supplied by Lundahl of Sweden and is a superb step-up transformer designed specifically for modern low output moving coil cartridges and optimised for use into moving magnet phono stage inputs. It features very wide bandwidth, low distortion and carefully designed primary and secondary loading networks to optimise the performance and give beautifully reproduced transients, free from ringing. The core materials and winding techniques employed in the manufacture are unsurpassed and feature multiple primary and secondary windings configured to cancel hum pickup from external sources as well as minimise inter-winding capacitance and maximise bandwidth. The step-up ratio makes it compatible with a wide range of cartridges and our proprietary loading networks maintain a 100 ohm input impedance, also compatible with a wide range of cartridges.
 
Technical Specifications:
  • Turns Ratio: 1:20
  • Voltage Gain: 26dB (x20)
  • Core Material: Cobalt Based Uncut Amorphous Strip
  • Input Impedance*: 100 ohms
  • Optimum Load Impedance**: 47k + 150pF
  • Bandwidth: 8Hz - 75kHz (+0/-3dB)
  • Cartridge Compatibility (o/p): 0.2mV - 0.7mV
  • Cartridge Compatibility (imp.): Internal Impedance <20 ohms
  • Dimensions: 60 x 155 x 92 mm
  • Weight: 580g
* This is the load presented to the cartridge.
** This is the optimum load for the transformer, ie the input impedance of the phono stage that the MC1 feeds into.

We endeavour to despatch same day for orders placed up to 1pm on available stock items (items with stock message "Usually dispatched within 24 hours"). Please remember to check with us first for a physical stock check if next day delivery is important to you. Any items with stock message "Usually dispatched within 72 hours" are items that we do not hold in stock but order in from the importer or manufacturer as soon as a customer order is received. Occasionally these may be delayed beyond 72 hours due to importer/manufacturer stock levels but we will inform you as soon as we can if this is the case.

UK Orders

We despatch the bulk of our UK mainland items on a 24 hour service – Free of Charge.  Non Mainland locations - Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles, the Scottish highlands and Islands, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland may take a day or so longer and are not Free of Charge. Smaller items are delivered using Royal Mail 24 or special delivery. Larger items are delivered using a courier service such as DPD or UPS.

International Orders:

Due to the nature of our products and brand restrictions we are only able to send certain items internationally. Smaller items are delivered using Royal Mail Small Packets Airmail with International Tracked and/or Signed depending on value of item and availability of the service. Larger International shipments are sent by insured and tracked services using UPS. If there are any delays due to specific customs regulations, etc, you will be contacted by Hifisound or by the courier with a request for any further information required. Customs duties can apply for shipments to any countries outside of the UK depending on where the product you have bought is made. Customers are responsible for all taxes and duties incurred when the items enter their country.

Collect in Store or Home Install

At the request of the manufacturer some items cannot be supplied by mail order but you can click and buy them and then elect to collect them from our store or arrange a home install (if applicable). Applicable items clearly state that they are Collect in store or home install. Once ordered you will receive a message prompting you to contact us by phone or email to arrange for us to deliver and install or to reserve and collect from our store at your convenience, you will also be advised of the delivery time / stock availability as not all Home install / collect in store items are held in stock.