The Japanese company Aurorasound is now world-famous for its very high quality phono preamplifiers. To complement these, and to offer a high-end solution to owners of excellent-quality MM inputs, Aurorasound offered the Aurorasound SP-03L transformer, now joined by a more affordable model, the AFE-12.
Aurorasound AFE-12 MC transformer: design
The Aurorasound AFE-12 transformer is housed in an attractive non-magnetic mu-metal case. Its front and rear panels are made of anodised aluminium.
This AFE-12 transformer is fully shielded and immune to electromagnetic interference.
Inputs and outputs use excellent-quality gold-plated RCA sockets. Between them sits a lever switch that selects the input impedance. The whole unit is remarkably well built and inspires confidence.
Aurorasound AFE-12 MC transformer: coils
The Aurorasound AFE-12 transformer is of course fully dual mono. It is fitted with two transformers specially made to Aurorasound's specifications by a well-known Swedish manufacturer. The distinctive feature of these transformers is that they are wound with three different windings.
This provides the choice of impedance. A selector therefore lets you choose between Low, Medium and High depending on the impedance of the low-output MC cartridge selected. The 26 dB gain provided by the AFE-12 allows it to be paired with MM preamplifiers with a gain between 40 and 50 dB, depending on the actual output level of the MC cartridge (please consult us for further details). The stated bandwidth of 20 Hz to 50 kHz at +/- 3 dB is remarkable.
The internal cable has been optimised to be as short as possible between the inputs and outputs. The inside of the case has been damped with a large amount of "pure" cotton, as is also the case with the Aurorasound SP-03L.
Aurorasound AFE-12: sound
It seemed sensible to pair this little transformer with the Aurorasound Vida Prima, then with the phono input of the superb Aurorasound HFSA-01 integrated amplifier.
From the very first tracks, you notice the musical contribution of a step-up with a low-output MC cartridge. The reproduction is more airy and more subtle. You have the impression of hearing more detail, without any sense of brightness or aggressiveness.
This AFE-12 connected to the phono input of the HFSA-01 integrated works wonders. You can add a turntable and a high-end MC cartridge to this combination.
The surprise was using the AFE-12 transformer on the MM input of the manufacturer's best buy, the Aurorasound Vida Prima. By adding a component and a cable, you might expect an adverse effect on dynamics and transparency. Yet not only are these areas unaffected, they are actually enhanced. Musicality rises a notch with realism, nuance and subtlety. You also gain clearly in dynamics and impact.
This "little" Aurorasound AFE-12 transformer is a small marvel.
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Aurorasound AFE-12 MC transformer
What is this transformer for?
It is an MC step-up: it provides 26 dB of gain, letting you pair a low-output MC cartridge with an MM phono stage. It is fully dual-mono and shielded against electromagnetic interference.
How do I adjust this transformer to different MC cartridges?
A lever selector lets you choose between three impedances (Low, Medium, High) thanks to transformers wound with three different windings, made to specification by a famous Swedish manufacturer, for a remarkable bandwidth of 20 Hz to 50 kHz at +/-3 dB.
Does this transformer degrade dynamics by adding an element to the chain?
No, quite the opposite in our tests: used on the MM input of the Aurorasound Vida Prima, dynamics and transparency are not affected but enhanced, with a clear gain in musicality, realism and impact, despite adding an element and an extra cable. Our article, “Why Invest in an MC Cell,” explains the benefits of MC technology.
Is the casing well protected against electromagnetic interference?
Yes, it is housed in a non-magnetic mu-metal casing that is fully shielded and immune to electromagnetic interference, with internal wiring optimised to stay as short as possible between inputs and outputs.
FranckInputs: RCA
Outputs: RCA
Impedance selection: High, Low, Mid
Internal cartridge impedance: 0.7 to 100 ohms
High: 31–100 ohms
Low: 0.7–10 ohms
Mid: 11–30 ohms
Gain: 26 dB
Frequency response (-3 dB): 20 Hz–50 kHz
Dimensions: 70 x 30 x 95 mm
Customer reviews
Mc transfo
Excellent
Petit mais efficace
Complète à merveille un pré-phono Aurorasound Vida Prima. Amélioration générale: détails, précision, présence...
Ma vieille Rega 3 de près de 30 ans sonne comme une grande, maintenant.
Très satisfait!
SUT très performant
Dans ma configuration hifi, le step up vient s'intercaler entre une platine Rega moderne et un ampli Rega dernière version du Elex. Je retrouve le plaisir d'utiliser l'entrée phono de l'ampli, la seule solution pour amplifier une cellule Hana SL par cette entrée. Je suis très content du produit, simple d'utilisation, avec un bon rendu si on le paramètre correctement par rapport à la cellule, Franck m'a conseillé pour ce réglage de choisir High level. L'envoi a été rapide et soigné. Merci maplatine.com
Fait superbement ce qu'on lui demande
Pour l'instant testé sur un de mes setups vinyles : Sansui AU 555A, Cabasse MT31 Microseiki MR611 et Hana S.
La mise en oeuvre est simplisme, connexion du câble de la platine (audioquest Wildcat) au bornes d'entré de ce step up ainsi que du fill de masse . Connexion des bornes de sorties à l'entrée phono (mm) #1 de mon sansui avec un Oelbach NF14, et roule...
La musicalité fait réellement un bon pa rapport au phono BOX DS2 que j'utilisais avec cette cellule un peu compliquée à associer avec son impédance élevée (1000 ohms pour en tirer la quintessence) ; là en mettant le sélecteur de l'aurorasound su "MID", on satisfait les 30 Ohms de charge interne de cette cellule...
Le résultat est que tout est plus naturel, sans aucun tassement dynamique avec une scène sonore qui se répand davantage dans ses dimensions.
Les détails sont effectivement plus nombreux et les timbres très réalistes. Un gros point positif est la matière que l'on gagne avec une belle extension du grave (malgré les enceintes de cette config qui sont limitées)..
Pour moi, c'est un magnifique moyen de donner accès aux cellules MC à ces amplis vintage qui ont d'excellentes entrées MM (après recapage dans les règles de l'art pour un ampli qui a 51 ans).