Eight years ago I bought a Hammond 370FX. It ran cool and was quiet. Four years ago I bought the 370KX and it was nosy and ran incredibly hot (still within temperature limits) at half rated power for HT and for filament.
The 370FX has a 30uF motorun capacitor as first cap while the 370KX used (as per Audio Note design) a 220uF as first capacitor. Due to the voltages needing dropping some 39 Ohm resistors were put in series with each of the diodes on the 370KX yet no difference in temperature.
I have a need to replace a power transformer - which one would you go for, which has the better quality, has Hammond improved?
The 370FX has a 30uF motorun capacitor as first cap while the 370KX used (as per Audio Note design) a 220uF as first capacitor. Due to the voltages needing dropping some 39 Ohm resistors were put in series with each of the diodes on the 370KX yet no difference in temperature.
I have a need to replace a power transformer - which one would you go for, which has the better quality, has Hammond improved?
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I'd buy Edcor but I will say I don't have a lot of experience with them.
I've had one Edcor and 2 Hammonds. The Edcor ran quiet and was cool to the touch. The first Hammond ran much hotter than the Edcor and the second Hammond is noisy and runs, what I'd consider, quite hot. I've let my lack of patience cause me to spend more for ones that run hotter. Both Hammonds were within the last 2-3 years.
I've had one Edcor and 2 Hammonds. The Edcor ran quiet and was cool to the touch. The first Hammond ran much hotter than the Edcor and the second Hammond is noisy and runs, what I'd consider, quite hot. I've let my lack of patience cause me to spend more for ones that run hotter. Both Hammonds were within the last 2-3 years.
Edcor has better quality. Vintage hammond is actually pretty good stuff, but their modern stuff isn't quite up to snuff and worse yet they have moved most of their production over to china.
But I would also urge you to shop around. I think there are a few winders down in Australia that have decent transformers, I just can't remember their names.
But I would also urge you to shop around. I think there are a few winders down in Australia that have decent transformers, I just can't remember their names.
Ignorant comment, probably driven by racism.
"HPS now has multiple manufacturing facilities throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, and India."
Our Company
Excuse me get that BS out of here. I had bought a few DOA transformers from hammond and a rep had informed me that they were having growing pains from moving their manufacturing to china.
Randomly calling people racist is all fine and dandy at your local star bucks, or your local college campus, but don't bring that crap here.
Randomly calling people racist is all fine and dandy at your local star bucks, or your local college campus, but don't bring that crap here.
Prefer the older made in Canada stuff myself, just seemed better quality to me, but they both do the same job.
Have also used Edcor power transformers and chokes in a few builds, seem really nice to me, look well made, well packaged, well labelled, just well thought out overall.
Would use either of them to be honest...
Have also used Edcor power transformers and chokes in a few builds, seem really nice to me, look well made, well packaged, well labelled, just well thought out overall.
Would use either of them to be honest...
Attachments
HPS makes power distribution parts etc. Our tube stuff is by Hammond Manufacturing...
"In the beginning of 2001, the Hammond Transformer Division, separated to become a new independent company, Hammond Power Solutions, Inc. (HPSI). HPSI manufactures custom and catalog transformers and related magnetics. The reorganization enabled both companies to pursue their strategic goals independently. The core products for Hammond Manufacturing continue as electrical and electronic enclosures, racks and cabinets, power bars and electronic (low-voltage) transformers."
About Hammond - Hammond Mfg.
I have never seen a tube product or chassis by Hammond Manufacturing that was made in China. Not that they don't exist, I've just never seen one personally.
"In the beginning of 2001, the Hammond Transformer Division, separated to become a new independent company, Hammond Power Solutions, Inc. (HPSI). HPSI manufactures custom and catalog transformers and related magnetics. The reorganization enabled both companies to pursue their strategic goals independently. The core products for Hammond Manufacturing continue as electrical and electronic enclosures, racks and cabinets, power bars and electronic (low-voltage) transformers."
About Hammond - Hammond Mfg.
I have never seen a tube product or chassis by Hammond Manufacturing that was made in China. Not that they don't exist, I've just never seen one personally.
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In a recent project, I ordered two Hammond filament chokes with one being Chinese and one being Canadian. From what I remember...
1. The Chinese choke had a channel frame made from thinner materials.
2. The Chinese choke had lighter duty lead wires that were very short.
3. The Hammond choke had extra bobbin tape over the soldered connections to better capture the soldered connections and immobilize the solder joints. All of the Chinese Hammond chokes I have in my inventory have this issue.
I am very annoyed and unimpressed that criticism is automatically racism. We have decades of people criticizing Hammond for various issues pre-China. This isn't anything new, but blaming legitimate gripes on racism seems relatively new.
I genuinely appreciate the apology.
In the future on both the forum and in real life, if you find someone's comments to truly be hateful, ask them to clarify. 99 times out of 100 you will find out that there is simply a break down in communication.
On the rare chance you do find someone who is being distasteful, speak to them first and see if you can't reach a deeper understanding with that person. You might be able to change their mind.
Making public accusations should only be used as a last resort and only when you have solid reason or evidence to prove your case. Even then, the situation will only get uglier and usually nothing gets resolved.
In the future on both the forum and in real life, if you find someone's comments to truly be hateful, ask them to clarify. 99 times out of 100 you will find out that there is simply a break down in communication.
On the rare chance you do find someone who is being distasteful, speak to them first and see if you can't reach a deeper understanding with that person. You might be able to change their mind.
Making public accusations should only be used as a last resort and only when you have solid reason or evidence to prove your case. Even then, the situation will only get uglier and usually nothing gets resolved.
Much as it pains to say about a local manufacturer, nearly every Hammond product I bought was flawed. Power transformers way over voltage, buzzing power transformers, the disaster of the first gen 1628 opt. The only satisfactory buy coming to mind was the 150H choke.
I used their 500 and 800 series audio transformers in studio builds for decades without issue but would never buy another Hammond project transformer.
I used their 500 and 800 series audio transformers in studio builds for decades without issue but would never buy another Hammond project transformer.
For those who have some different viewpoints: In my last role with 400 staff I emphasized to stick to the subject and refrain from personal, ethnic etc. remarks.
Enough said on that front.
I have received parts from China that were top notch, similarly there has been stuff that went straight into the recycling.
We have to remember that Apple manufactures largely in China due to chemicals used in finishing the aluminum enclusures. Their stuff is top notch.
Having said this: I am not impressed with the quality of the Hammond chassis, they are far too thin for holding the transformers and the two chassis I received (one was a replacement for the other after I complained) did both not have a flatsurface: it was severly "hollow" on the top surface. Transformers were leaning towards each other as the tower of Pisa. I ended up custom making my own chassis.
It applies to every manufacturer: how good is the quality control?
Pleased to see how the poll is progressing. I'm starting to lean towards giving Edcor a chance (the shipping costs are about as much as a transformer is worth so price difference is not that big an impact). I do not need a zillion different voltage configurations (Hammond), what to do with all those unused wires?
Enough said on that front.
I have received parts from China that were top notch, similarly there has been stuff that went straight into the recycling.
We have to remember that Apple manufactures largely in China due to chemicals used in finishing the aluminum enclusures. Their stuff is top notch.
Having said this: I am not impressed with the quality of the Hammond chassis, they are far too thin for holding the transformers and the two chassis I received (one was a replacement for the other after I complained) did both not have a flatsurface: it was severly "hollow" on the top surface. Transformers were leaning towards each other as the tower of Pisa. I ended up custom making my own chassis.
It applies to every manufacturer: how good is the quality control?
Pleased to see how the poll is progressing. I'm starting to lean towards giving Edcor a chance (the shipping costs are about as much as a transformer is worth so price difference is not that big an impact). I do not need a zillion different voltage configurations (Hammond), what to do with all those unused wires?
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Harbuch is the one I have purchased from on a couple of occasions. Manufacturer of toroidal TRANSFORMERS-Home page
I was very happy with the quality.
Tony.
Strictly talking power transformers the hammond 300 series are fine quality transformers. The other thing about them is they have 5V and 6.3V center taps. Harder to find 5V CT's on Edcor transformers. The biggest problem I find with Edcor transformers is there voltages are way out of spec. The 120V versions are closer to spec (still high) when run at 115V. Their 6.3V taps tend to run more like 6.9V at full amps. Ive had the HT taps 20V to 40V high even when running at full mA. I like the build quality of Edcor and don't know why it's gets a bad rap in the "audiophile" world. Their output transformers are very fine.
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