Good source for 18v+18v 300VA toroid?

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#2
VictoriaGuy said:
I'm thinking about an Aleph J build.

What's a good source for the power transformers for the Pass amps- 2 x 18v , 300VA?

I'm in Canada.
Is this Plitron my best bet?
https://shop.plitron.com/shopexd.asp?id=162

Thanks
Click to expand...

This one have magnetic shield and for only few more $ you get 400 VA.
Probably best quality/price score they are Antek in USA

AS-4218 - 400VA 18V Transformer - AnTek Products Corp

http://www.antekinc.com/content/AS-4218.pdf

For Canadians Plitron are very great option , cost is high but you save on shipping

Cheers
 
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#4
Hi VictoriaGuy,

I've used Plitron and Antek transformers.

The Anteks are good quality and very reasonably
priced. Shipping eats into the savings from the transformer, especially
you just buy one. If you order from them, I would recommend sticking
to USPS shipping.

Plitron has a $250CAD min order. 🙁

I have not used their transformer but SumR seems to be well-regarded as well:
SumR - Richard Sumner Technology:: Primrose

Cheers,
Dennis
 
#7
VictoriaGuy said:
Thanks for that link.
I've asked them for a quote; I'll report back once I hear from them.
Click to expand...

Richard got back to me quickly - an email arrived first thing this morning.
Transformer with core band and mounting hardware:
Cdn $ 90/e.
Postage to BC from ON for one pc. is Cdn $ 30.
Taxes applied to B.C. is gst at 5%. (No PST)
We accept e-transfers from Canadian Banks. Total = Cdn $ 126.00.
Or Paypal, Total with their charge = Cdn $ 131.00.
Click to expand...

So, for Canadians, that price is fairly competitive with Antek - the transformer is $20 more, but most of that would be counterbalanced by the higher shipping cost from the USA.

The economics of these heavy transformers is really affected by the shipping cost. Ordering several could help, but I don't see a need right now, since I have iron on hand for projects that use lower VA ratings.

Thanks to everybody for the very quick replies with useful links.
 
#9
I use a lot of SumR transformers. Shipping to California is not bad at all. More expensive than Antek for sure, but I like the custom and one-off aspect. Be sure to tell Richard the general Class A application - he can build them in a way that is less prone to mechanical hum.

BK
 
#10
Dennis Hui said:
Hi VictoriaGuy,

I've used Plitron and Antek transformers.

The Anteks are good quality and very reasonably
priced. Shipping eats into the savings from the transformer, especially
you just buy one. If you order from them, I would recommend sticking
to USPS shipping.

Plitron has a $250CAD min order. 🙁

I have not used their transformer but SumR seems to be well-regarded as well:
SumR - Richard Sumner Technology:: Primrose

Cheers,
Dennis
Click to expand...

I used a SumR 24volt x 2, 1000va transformer for my complementary BA3 amplifier. A great transformer...not cheap, but excellent well made piece. All my other builds have been Antek.

Russellc
 
#11
Update:
I ordered a 300VA, 2x18volt toroid with additional electrostatic shield from Richard at Primrose.
primrose@sumr.com

Some numbers for those who need to pay attention to costs:😀

Transformer price was $96CAD with shield, $90CAD without.

Total price with tax and shipping to me (ON to BC) was $132 CAD when paid with a bank transfer. I had to pay a couple of dollars for the Interac transfer. PayPal would have been a few dollars more.

For comparison, the similar Antek would have been $87USD ($114 CAD) with USPS shipping (the shipping was more than the transformer cost). At my end I would have (probably) had to pay taxes and a handling fee from Canada Post. So there was a good chance the Antek would have cost more.

And, the sumR is made in Canada, not offshore.
 
#15
VictoriaGuy said:
Primrose/SumR (Richard) said they would ship in 1 week.

The email communication was very good throughout - not a lot of long descriptive details, but 'to the point', and prompt.

Plitron is being foolish IMO with that $250 minimum requirement. They don't want my business; they won't get it!
Click to expand...

In my opinion the SumR transformers are just as good, at a cheaper price. You haven't compromised anything by going with SumR.
 
#18
VictoriaGuy said:
.............Transformer price was $96CAD with shield, $90CAD without.....................
Click to expand...
Make the interwinding shield wire very short.
If you use a long shield wire and take it to some remote chassis connection, you will lose some of the effectiveness of the shield.

I think it helps to place the transformer upside down so that the shield wire exits the insulation right next to the chassis and a short 20mm tail connects direct to chassis at that location.

I don't understand why the manufacturers fit 150mm to 200mm long tails for the shield connection.
 
#20
I recently dealt with Richard Sumner at Primrose Audio for a pair of 800va 34v transformers for a monoblock F5T build.The prices were lower than Plitron and included an e shield and core band. They shipped in a little over a week and look great. Great service and price for custom built transformers. They also ship via Canada Post which is very economical for Canadian customers. I recommend anyone looking for toroids for audio amps should check with Primrose.
 
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