What is an 'audio-grade' toroidal transformer ?

ash_dac · 4th September 2006, 09:54 PM

Hi,

What is an 'audio-grade' toroidal transformer ?

Hi-fi equipment manufacturers , forum members, and toroidal manufacturers refer to 'audio grade' transformers but I can't find any threads on the power supply design area on what one actually is!

Is it worth buying any of the generic non-audio toroidal transformers for use in audio projects ?

EC8010 · 4th September 2006, 10:25 PM

One with a 50% surcharge on the price?

Seriously, possibly one operated at a lower flux density to reduce leakage and to allow for those horrible capacitor input supplies audio is stuffed with.

flg · 4th September 2006, 11:44 PM

Are you sure they are reffering to power supply transformers

And not audio signal transformers? Generally, to get the frequency response required by audio, very thin laminations of special alloy metals are used. In a toriod, that would mean a "tape" transformer. Very thin ribbon used as laminations on a round form. I would bet most of the power transformers that are very large toriods, are tape wound cores anyway. Ferrite would probably need to be very large at 50-60Hz to not saturate

ash_dac · 5th September 2006, 06:22 AM

Hi,

Sorry I was meant audio grade power / mains transformer.

AndrewT · 5th September 2006, 01:22 PM

Hi,
this might help
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...ht=#post996215
from a few days ago.

poobah · 5th September 2006, 03:56 PM

audio grade = mountain grown coffee

(all coffee grows in the mountains)

jacco vermeulen · 5th September 2006, 05:12 PM

which one is audio grade coffee ?

cerrem · 5th September 2006, 05:16 PM

Audio Grade usually refers to the core material used...
Most likely M6, which is a grain oriented material that is in strip wound typically .014" thickness strip...
The Sat point is roughly 18K Gauss...But good audio design is to set the peak flux density at 10K Gauss at 20Hz at full power output....Keep in mind that is not frequency response of transformer...This is for keeping the core distortion under a specific %......
Peak inductance will usually occur around 13K Gauss for that steel..

Chris

4th September 2006, 09:54 PM	#1
ash_dac diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK	What is an 'audio-grade' toroidal transformer ? Hi, What is an 'audio-grade' toroidal transformer ? Hi-fi equipment manufacturers , forum members, and toroidal manufacturers refer to 'audio grade' transformers but I can't find any threads on the power supply design area on what one actually is! Is it worth buying any of the generic non-audio toroidal transformers for use in audio projects ?

4th September 2006, 10:25 PM	#2
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	One with a 50% surcharge on the price? Seriously, possibly one operated at a lower flux density to reduce leakage and to allow for those horrible capacitor input supplies audio is stuffed with. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rebuilding a DAC Audio grade or Computer grade caps?	gto127	Digital Source	0	28th January 2009 08:17 PM
Cambridge Audio Azur 640A toroidal power transformer (115V)	limono	Swap Meet	1	25th December 2008 04:57 PM
Help designing Class-A, tube, transformer coupled, studio grade pre-amp	gibsonripper	Tubes / Valves	8	14th December 2007 09:02 PM
Source for audio grade transformers?	natzev_i	Parts	2	12th October 2006 03:00 PM
FS: Hospital Grade Isolation Transformer - 3500VA - 6 outlets	PaulHilgeman	Swap Meet	2	12th June 2003 09:35 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

4th September 2006, 11:44 PM	#3
flg diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North East	Are you sure they are reffering to power supply transformers And not audio signal transformers? Generally, to get the frequency response required by audio, very thin laminations of special alloy metals are used. In a toriod, that would mean a "tape" transformer. Very thin ribbon used as laminations on a round form. I would bet most of the power transformers that are very large toriods, are tape wound cores anyway. Ferrite would probably need to be very large at 50-60Hz to not saturate

5th September 2006, 06:22 AM	#4
ash_dac diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK	Hi, Sorry I was meant audio grade power / mains transformer.

5th September 2006, 01:22 PM	#5
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, this might help http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...ht=#post996215 from a few days ago.

5th September 2006, 03:56 PM	#6
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	audio grade = mountain grown coffee (all coffee grows in the mountains)

5th September 2006, 05:12 PM	#7
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, Rotterdam or Curaçao	which one is audio grade coffee ?

5th September 2006, 05:16 PM	#8
cerrem diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	Audio Grade usually refers to the core material used... Most likely M6, which is a grain oriented material that is in strip wound typically .014" thickness strip... The Sat point is roughly 18K Gauss...But good audio design is to set the peak flux density at 10K Gauss at 20Hz at full power output....Keep in mind that is not frequency response of transformer...This is for keeping the core distortion under a specific %...... Peak inductance will usually occur around 13K Gauss for that steel.. Chris