Choosing the best EL34 pp opt

barfind · 14th September 2005, 10:33 AM

Hi all. I have a el34PPP amp, and I want to put good opts on it. I have heard that good opts can make a big difference. Is this true, and what difference does it make.
Thanks for your help

Nigel

SY · 14th September 2005, 10:57 AM

It is the single most important component in your amplifier. It's the primary determinant of frequency response and power bandwidth (once you've chosen the output tubes). Unfortunately, good iron is NOT cheap. Two very well-regarded brands are Sowter and Magnequest. There are others.

My preference is for vintage iron, but that's always a risk.

barfind · 14th September 2005, 01:24 PM

Thanks sy. I will look into those you mentioned. Hopefully others can make other recomendations as well.

Nigel

kmtang · 14th September 2005, 01:27 PM

Plitron's toroid output transformers are with very good quality and wide/flat bandwidth. I would recommend that.

You are check out from their web site and they sell to customers direct. www.plitron.com

Johnny

Tom Bavis · 14th September 2005, 02:44 PM

For the price, I think Ned's clones of the Dyna transformers can't be beat. http://store.triodestore.com/dytr.html DynaClones

amperex · 14th September 2005, 03:55 PM

The audio transformers used to be supplied from MQ. Due to whatever reason, they are now produced by another company. Are the new transformers same sonics as the MQ? Anm I misinformed? I do know the Dynaco replacement audio iron I bought (MQ) were a real bargain regarding performance & cost.

Tom Bavis · 14th September 2005, 05:05 PM

Triode doesn't carry Magnequest any more - but the current transformers are about half the price of the Magnequest ones they used to carry. I doubt they're as good, but I think they're close... Dyna amps weren't the best, but were hard to beat at the price. Same goes for Dynaclones today.

mark_titano · 14th September 2005, 05:14 PM

Try Lundahl...

Mark

amperex · 14th September 2005, 06:19 PM

I recall Teds MQ were about 60% cost direct from MQ. I quickly snatched up a pair of MQ A-470s on sale last winter. Ted does have great prices & quality must be at least as good or better than Hammond.

amperex · 14th September 2005, 06:24 PM

For cost savings, I found high quality used Dynaco Z565 with the cloth wires on eBay for about $75 to $100 per pair. I understand later designs with the plastic wires are not as desirable.

14th September 2005, 10:33 AM	#1
barfind diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle	Choosing the best el34 pp opt Hi all. I have a el34PPP amp, and I want to put good opts on it. I have heard that good opts can make a big difference. Is this true, and what difference does it make. Thanks for your help Nigel

14th September 2005, 10:57 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	It is the single most important component in your amplifier. It's the primary determinant of frequency response and power bandwidth (once you've chosen the output tubes). Unfortunately, good iron is NOT cheap. Two very well-regarded brands are Sowter and Magnequest. There are others. My preference is for vintage iron, but that's always a risk. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

14th September 2005, 03:55 PM	#6
amperex diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MI	Tom B The audio transformers used to be supplied from MQ. Due to whatever reason, they are now produced by another company. Are the new transformers same sonics as the MQ? Anm I misinformed? I do know the Dynaco replacement audio iron I bought (MQ) were a real bargain regarding performance & cost.

14th September 2005, 06:19 PM	#9
amperex diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MI	Tnx Tom I recall Teds MQ were about 60% cost direct from MQ. I quickly snatched up a pair of MQ A-470s on sale last winter. Ted does have great prices & quality must be at least as good or better than Hammond.

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14th September 2005, 01:24 PM	#3
barfind diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle	Thanks sy. I will look into those you mentioned. Hopefully others can make other recomendations as well. Nigel

14th September 2005, 01:27 PM	#4
kmtang diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver	Plitron's toroid output transformers are with very good quality and wide/flat bandwidth. I would recommend that. You are check out from their web site and they sell to customers direct. www.plitron.com Johnny

14th September 2005, 02:44 PM	#5
Tom Bavis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Macedon NY	For the price, I think Ned's clones of the Dyna transformers can't be beat. http://store.triodestore.com/dytr.html DynaClones

14th September 2005, 05:05 PM	#7
Tom Bavis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Macedon NY	Triode doesn't carry Magnequest any more - but the current transformers are about half the price of the Magnequest ones they used to carry. I doubt they're as good, but I think they're close... Dyna amps weren't the best, but were hard to beat at the price. Same goes for Dynaclones today.

14th September 2005, 05:14 PM	#8
mark_titano diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Try Lundahl... Mark

14th September 2005, 06:24 PM	#10
amperex diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MI	For cost savings, I found high quality used Dynaco Z565 with the cloth wires on eBay for about $75 to $100 per pair. I understand later designs with the plastic wires are not as desirable.

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