Hommage T1

About the Hommage T1

The Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 is a specialized step-up transformer (SUT) crafted for low-impedance, low-output moving coil cartridges, particularly the Ortofon SPU A and Shindo versions. It is designed to provide an ideal impedance and voltage transformation to maximize cartridge and phono stage performance. The Hommage T1 is noted for its ability to bring more importance and impact to recorded music, delivering a fuller, bolder sound with remarkable bass and lower midrange clarity. It excels in reproducing the air, warmth, and timbral layers of instruments without boom or looseness, creating a highly engaging and emotionally involving listening experience. The transformer features a primary coil impedance of about 3 ohms and a secondary coil impedance of approximately 2.8k ohms, resulting in an impedance ratio of about 933:1 and a gain factor near 30 (approximately 29 dB gain). It was inspired by and partly modeled after legendary vintage transformers such as the Western Electric 618B. The Hommage T1 has received critical acclaim, including the prestigious DIAPASON D'OR award in 2006, and is regarded as a milestone in high-fidelity audio. It requires additional RCA interconnects between the phono cables and preamp for installation. Reviews highlight its superior soundstage, imaging, and scale compared to other top-tier step-up transformers, with a particular strength in bass and midrange performance.