Best SE interstage 1:1 for min. 15mA?

[Vinylsavor]

Hi felipe,

that is a good example that opinions about how certain components sound should be taken with a grain of salt and are not transferable to other environments.

For my taste such kind of an amp is not really suitable to assess such components as interstage transformers properly.

The text says that the use of interstage transformers is important in such an amp because it avoids caps in the signal path. A common misconception which still is spread around. While transformer coupling indeed eliminates the coupling capacitor from the signal path it puts the B+ smoothing cap right into the signal path and I see stacks of electrolytics there.

In that design the driver and caps dominate the sound, hardly a siutable environment to judge transformers IMHO.

So my opinion: Don't take recommendations for granted, they might not work in a different environment. This includes my own recommendations. They are true for my amps and my taste, not necessarily yours.

At the end you need to decide yourself and judge with your own ears.

I have attended many listening tests and saw how quickly people jump to conclusions. Many factors play a role: prejudice, in this case may be even a little national pride also the overall equipment in which the test is done and of course listening habits and tastes.

There is no objective truth for components sounds which can be found on the net. I also don't have it, so also take my advices with the above precautions...

At the end you need to try yourself...

Thomas

[kevinkr]

Thomas, good advice and insights IMHO..

[andyjevans]

Well, of course in the end your own ears decide. But hey - who's in the position of lining up half a dozen interstages when you look at what they cost?

I'm happy to listen to the opinions of Thomas and Kevin and some others and make judgements accordingly. Some degree of expert opinion is a lot better than no opinion at all!

Andy

[andyjevans]

Audio Catalog

Just saw James at 150 Euros each. Model JS-2008NM is 30mA, JS-2007N is 20mA. These have Nickel lams and are nicely potted.

Anyone tried James?

[andyjevans]

Sorry, James is 240 euros each. Looking for better prices - maybe this

thlaudio web site pages

[merlin el mago]

Originally Posted by Vinylsavor

Hi felipe,

that is a good example that opinions about how certain components sound should be taken with a grain of salt and are not transferable to other environments.

For my taste such kind of an amp is not really suitable to assess such components as interstage transformers properly.

The text says that the use of interstage transformers is important in such an amp because it avoids caps in the signal path. A common misconception which still is spread around. While transformer coupling indeed eliminates the coupling capacitor from the signal path it puts the B+ smoothing cap right into the signal path and I see stacks of electrolytics there.

In that design the driver and caps dominate the sound, hardly a siutable environment to judge transformers IMHO.

So my opinion: Don't take recommendations for granted, they might not work in a different environment. This includes my own recommendations. They are true for my amps and my taste, not necessarily yours.

At the end you need to decide yourself and judge with your own ears.

I have attended many listening tests and saw how quickly people jump to conclusions. Many factors play a role: prejudice, in this case may be even a little national pride also the overall equipment in which the test is done and of course listening habits and tastes.

There is no objective truth for components sounds which can be found on the net. I also don't have it, so also take my advices with the above precautions...

At the end you need to try yourself...

Thomas

Hi Thomas,

All opinions have to be taken just like opinions (with precautions), we know that last judge is our ears but here we are speaking Japanese stuff that cost a lot of money so again I ask for precaution because once payed no return and you has spent a lot of money. I no doubt about Japanese quality but I believe that European manufacturers can make excellent transformers without spending a lot of money.

I agree with you that we need to try ourselves what as Andy said opinions to make an idea will welcome, I always don't trust in that's the best guiding by the money or other minds like country price etc, I think in the best transformer in a specific/exact combo not in general and this statement always give me good results.

Cheers
Felipe

[Vinylsavor]

Hi Felipe,

I jully agree with you that money does not guarantee best quality. Nobody really said that. But unfortunately good quality only comes at a price. I also never said that only japanese transformers are the best. I happen to prefer the Tango NC20 over any other interstage I have heard so far. But I have of course not tried all that exist (but many).

Although the cost of Tango NC20 is quite high compared to others, I still believe that it gives among the best sound/cost ratios which are out there! I would rate the sound quality/price ratio of Lundahls at a similar level as Tango. With the Tangos you also pay for the housing of course, which is of superb quality, compared to what I have seen from James or Bartolucci.


Just to avoid the impression this is a biased opinion since I'm commercially in audio. I use Tango transformers (among others) in amps I sell, but I do not sell individual Tango transformers.

Best regards

Thomas

[jlsem]

I think you may find that Dave Slagle's transformers offer the best sound and value. Where A/B testing was done here his 80% nickel output transformers came out on top, even better than the Tango NY-10, if only slightly. As far as interstage transformers go, I haven't done any comparison testing but his type 50 amp with 80% nickel interstages and outputs is the most natural sounding and lowest audible distortion amp I've ever heard.

John

[Ryssen]

Any one tried the Hammond´s?
Hammond Mfg. - Audio - Tube Driver Transformer - (124 - 126 Series)

[andyjevans]

Yes - I'm listening to the 126C as we speak in driver position with a 4P1L. It's good but not excellent. It's worth the money. But I replaced the other 126C in my input stage (also 4P1L) with a Lundahl LL1660/18mA and that is clearer and more delicate in the treble. So yes, use the 126C to get your amp working and it will sound good, but I'd also recommend getting a Lundahl instead. I'd say the sound quality is worth the extra.