a thread on Transformer quality

[Stefanoo]

The intent of this post is to make a list of good tranformers.

I got up till now to the following brends:

- Plitron
- Avel Lindberg
- Toroidy


Since i'm from Italy it's quite of a bit difficolt for me to gather plitron's parts 'cause the high shipping cost.
I would like to know if anybody here had the opportunity to compare different brands of transformer and in case, may share its experience here.

I'm actually choosing the transformer for my aleph P1.7 and for the next incoming Aleph AX.

As far as i know and read, i believe there was a post from Nelson stating this, that the plitron is way far up ahead of every other brand on the market.

If so, i would try to make it possible and try to get this parts somehow.
I was just wondering if this plitron are so special only on the the low noise version and the standard toroid are not that great.

The low noise catalogue doesn't have enought range.


Hope to see this 3d growing up and became up-building for everybody who wants to choose a transformer for his project.


Best,
Stefano.

[giulio]

Hi,

amplimo from holland are supposed to come very close to plitron (I have no connection). Check their website.

Best
Giulio

[Stefanoo]

Interesting, so let's add this brand to the previous list that becames so:

- Plitron
- Avel Lindberg
- Toroidy
- Amplimo

[Magura]

http://www.toroid.se/english/index.html

They make pretty much the best trafos I have had my hands on so far...

So far I have tried a bunch of the less known brands, and most of the well known ones :

- Amplimo
- Plitron
- Avel Lindberg
- Toroid
- Noratel (now owner of toroid international)
- Talema

+ a lot of others that just didn't make the cut.

The above mentioned are all good, Talema makes second to none <200VA toroids, Plitron, Amplimo and Toroid are close though, but I have yet to hear a Toroid international buzz.

Magura

[Stefanoo]

great!!!
I believe is the same brand used on my amplifier Electrocompaniet ad it's a very deadly quite component.
Thanks for your post, usefull as everytime.

[Stefanoo]

unfortunatelly they seem to not make transformers over 600VA, WHY?

For the preamplifier all i need is a 200VA to be aboundantly over the hill but for the aleph AX i will definitely need something much bigger than the available 600VA (which is the component inside my Electrocompaniet).

So, Do you think that a 200VA toroid is better sounding than the other mentioned brends, Plitron included?

Are the prices lined up with the other copanies?
Amplimo, for the standard parts, has very cheap prices, what do you think!

[flg]

I have used Avel Lindberg and Hammond Mfg. I have heard buzz from a heavily loaded Avel Lindberg(750VA). I liked the few smaller Hammond toriods I've had, a little better though. Haven't tried a big hammond yet...

[Magura]

Originally posted by Stefanoo
unfortunatelly they seem to not make transformers over 600VA, WHY?

For the preamplifier all i need is a 200VA to be aboundantly over the hill but for the aleph AX i will definitely need something much bigger than the available 600VA (which is the component inside my Electrocompaniet).

So, Do you think that a 200VA toroid is better sounding than the other mentioned brends, Plitron included?

Are the prices lined up with the other copanies?
Amplimo, for the standard parts, has very cheap prices, what do you think!

For a preamp, I'd go for a 120VA from Talema. They are cheap and available from RS components.

For bigger trafos, I'd send an email to Toroid International or Noratel, they usually have something useful. I had some 1000VA 2*18V custom made at Toroid some time ago. Absolutely stunning quality! Fair price as well...

Magura

[harryeng]

I just had two 800VA 2*15VDC made by schuro .

Potted, thick wiring, the works. And no humming during try-out. (still building the Alephs)

Schuro does not always reply to your mails, and I know Wuffwaff complained about mechanical noise in his. Mine are running 7A, and are doing just fine.

Harry

[Conrad Hoffman]

IMO, Ulveco makes a decent transformer.