Budget Iron for Low-Power SET

[needtubes]

I have a low power (less than 2W) SET in the works and am searching for good output transformers with 5k primaries. The amp will be used mostly with full-range reasonably efficient 8-ohm speakers, although it will see occasional use with headphones. I have narrowed the choices to Edcor XSE, Edcor GXSE, and Transcendar "budget".

I have read good things about the Edcor XSE series on the Tubelab site. Would it be worthwhile to trade up to the GXSE series for improved frequency response? The cost of these is certainly appealing...

Also on the list are the Transcendar "budget" OPTs. These will cost at least twice as much, but appear (on paper) to be much better transformers. Reported frequency response and primary inductance look nicer.

What do you think? Are the Transcendars worth the extra cost?

Thanks all

 

[tim614]

+1
Transcendar

 

[20to20]

I have a low power (less than 2W) SET in the works and am searching for good output transformers with 5k primaries.


Thanks all

P-T31 at AES is under $15.

 

[H E Pennypacker]

I would also suggest the Transcendars, 10 or 15 watt versions. If all you want is the 5 watt versions, you could likely find something in a old console that would be comparable.

 

[tinitus]

Are the Transcendars worth the extra cost?

prices are for a pair

 

[DeathRex]

Edcor's XSE 10 watts are $17.22, and the GXSE 5 watts are $18.08 ea. You won't loose any bandwidth running them at 2 watts.

 

[sherpa]

+1 on the Edcor XSE transformers. I've run them with parallel 6s4a's and had incredible results. The bottom end below about 70hz doesn't have the punch but no complaints. The top end i measured at above 25khz before the waveform started to shrink. It was clean and even 70-25k.

 

[wrenchone]

I've been also curious about the 5W Transcendars, and am considering them for a small partial feedback SE amp using a pentode-triode and a 6P3S-E. I have Edcor XSE and GXSE floating around, so they could be fall-back options. I suspect there might be a little extra care in the interleaving of the Transcendars.

 

[kendt]

the edcors are a steal. I am quite surprised at how good they sound. I am only using them for mid/upper frequencies so cant speak for the bass but for the frequencies im using them for they are terrific.

 

[lhgin]

What about Hammond 125 series?

 

[wrenchone]

Hammond stuff is getting way too expensive these days compared to Edcor or Transcendar. The 125ESEs have gone from $35 each to nearly 60.

 

[TheGimp]

+1 on the GXSE, although I use the 15W versions in a 5W amp. The low end is surprisingly good.