Best 300B SE OPT?

[needsp]

Hi Andy

Are you not tempted by the double C core Monoliths then? A pair of S-9 types- part of their superior Summit range- would be about UKP 525 delivered (I've asked for an exact quote- they're Euro 310 each incl VAT, excluding p&p)

Paul N

[andyjevans]

I'm tempted by all kinds of things!! I don't know enough about the Monoliths to put down that kind of money, and that kind of wad would be competing with Tango and possibly even Tamura, which are well know in terms of quality. Maybe the Monoliths are just as good, but who knows?

I'd be equally tempted by Pieter at Tribute - his quality is well known. I don't know if his nickel OPTs come in that kind of price range.

I'd also be tempted by Bud at O-netics. I have four sets of his OPTs and they are really good sounding.

Just going with what I know here. The point of the thread is really to shed some light on what we don't know like Monolith and see if we can get some comparative information from people who've tried several types.

Paul - if you're going to pull the trigger on the Monoliths, we'd be interested to hear the results!!

Andy

[needsp]

Hi

Isn't UKP 265 each, delivered, cheap in context?

Paul N

[andyjevans]

I've never paid more than £150 for an OPT. Acquired most of them a while ago and got some deals on Lundahl gear. I'm pretty happy as I am - I have LL1620, LL1623, AN and O-netics. An OPT would have to be audibly a step up for me to consider changing.

I've no idea if "UKP 265 each, delivered is cheap in context". I'd have to hear that degree of difference from what I have. I've never used exotic OPTs so I really can't say, and I wouldn't guess without actually hearing the difference.

I admit that most builders are likely to take the plunge without any comparative listening, but OPTs like this are a big outlay. Hence the point of gathering opinions in threads like this. It's one thing to say "better" but better by how much?

Andy

[needsp]

Hi Andy

Oh, sorry- didn’t realise you already owned the onetics and Lundahl’s on your list, just that you’d tried them. I thought you were looking for an upgrade to the AN 152 type at a reasonable price. By cheap in context, I meant in comparison to the Japanese exotica- assuming it’s performance is comparable of course.

The double C core of the Monolith is the attraction for me. I suspect that this construction, using a good silicon steel laminate and good winding technique (the bandwidth, primary inductance and insertion loss of the S-9 are excellent) would compete favourably with any EI core. Where amorphous, nickel, and cobalt cores fit in I’m less sure. I’ve gained the feeling that their use is an expensive game of swings and roundabouts.

I expect 17 years of run in have done the AN’s a world of good, and would expect the new transformers to improve considerably with use. My interstages sounded very grey initially, then bloomed gradually. (Cyrogenic treatment of the coils is supposed to avoid the need for run in.)

I may have to try the S-9 myself! But, even then, I’ve never know how they compared with Tango and the rest- unless someone out there can help....

Paul

[andyjevans]

http://softone.a.la9.jp/english/RW20.htm

Looking at the Softone again - it did very well in the ETF shootout, bettering Tango 3.5 (!) an old AN, LL1664AM and a Mingda amongst others in the A-B shootout. Did better than James and Silk also, overall.

Anyone tried this? It's still listed at $120 which makes it interesting!

[andyjevans]

Here's another one. Noguchi are a shop and also make their own apparently good OPTs
???NO.1 ??3.000??????:, ?????????????
F-912　シングル出力トランス
• Pri :2.5kΩ
• Sec : 4-8-16Ω
• Frequency Range : 20~95kHz
• Output : 8w
• Pri Max DC Current : 70mA
• Pri inductance : 16H
• Dimensions : 102x90(max101)x115

Price is about £125 each

[coolhandluc]

The Softone trannies and interstage are hits right out of the park, I just received a pair of their newly released 8k pp transformers this week !
I'm using all of their products in several amps and they are consistently excellent sounding, measure perfectly and their international service is second to none, I really shouldn't rave in public, because the price to performance ratio is (currently) almost unbelievable for this kind of quality, particularly coming out of Japan.... In fact they must have a lot of local competition (Noguchi certainly is very popular there) because their prices have hardly changed over many years.

[andyjevans]

That's very useful information. Softone look like a likely purchase at some point. Have you tried their interstage? It's not such good value as the OPT, but I'd like to know how it compares with Lundahl and the others.

http://softone.a.la9.jp/english/RC20/RC20.htm

Tell us more about Noguchi - it's a totally new name for me. For sure there's plenty of action in Asia with quality products of this type.

Andy

[6L6]

In my experience, Electra-Print. The standard 300B transformer weighs 13lb. !!!!!!!