In fiddling with my composite amp ive found out that two of my toroidals dont sound the same.
One is an antek 300va 24 0 24 0, the other same spec but a local korean brand. They weight about the same. The amp uses lm3886 for output and a simple C filter (not crc)
Simply put the antek sounds much better. The bass is bigger, theres better grip on the lower notes. The korean transformer sounds tinny in comparison as if the power has been halved.
I couldnt get much out of how the korean toroidal was wound except that their core is outsourced (so probably cheap chinese) and they have hum issues (primary wound close to saturation?)
What would differ in a good and bad quality toroidals and how would that affect the bass in a class ab amp?
Thank you for your input in advance.
One is an antek 300va 24 0 24 0, the other same spec but a local korean brand. They weight about the same. The amp uses lm3886 for output and a simple C filter (not crc)
Simply put the antek sounds much better. The bass is bigger, theres better grip on the lower notes. The korean transformer sounds tinny in comparison as if the power has been halved.
I couldnt get much out of how the korean toroidal was wound except that their core is outsourced (so probably cheap chinese) and they have hum issues (primary wound close to saturation?)
What would differ in a good and bad quality toroidals and how would that affect the bass in a class ab amp?
Thank you for your input in advance.
I tend to agree there.
Also, to donovas:
Ohm out each winding of the korean unit. - disconnected completely from the PS.
Primary and secondaries, noting down to even less of an ohm - (like 2.7 ohms for instance)
Compare with the Antek unit, and if different, post the findings here.
Asides from core material, the wire gauge may even be different.
PS transformer sound is as much a mystery as wire sound. Perhaps unsurprising.
Never heard any sensible hypothesis why similarly specced transformers should sound so different. Fwiw i find toroids and r-cores to be more consistent than EIs which are all over the place where sound is concerned. If you find a brand you like, just stick to it.
Never heard any sensible hypothesis why similarly specced transformers should sound so different. Fwiw i find toroids and r-cores to be more consistent than EIs which are all over the place where sound is concerned. If you find a brand you like, just stick to it.
A difference in the wiring is one clue.
Two 24 volt transformers from different manufacturers may spec out to 24V unloaded, with say 120V input, and substantially different when loaded with identical loads.
This could be attributed to either the primary or secondary wire gauge, the number of windings needed for a certain gauge, and proximity to the core.
Donovas's 24V transformers could be loaded on each secondary with say, a standard 10W 22 ohm wirewound resistor, making an approximate 1 amp load on them, then the actual voltage can be measured across the resistor and compared.
The one with the lower reading would obviously be a flaw in manufacturing.
Well i sent the one away with the antek with it so i only have the suspicious korean one at hand. Would it help still if i post its measurements?
The wire on the korean one is pretty thin too. Its either 20 or 22 gauge
The wire on the korean one is pretty thin too. Its either 20 or 22 gauge
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Do remember the Anteks below 400w have the static [RF/EMI] shields.
All of mine do. THEY ARE AWESOME!
Notably so...
They DO sound better, perhaps measurably.
(on a scope, mine is dead)
There is NO MYSTERY here.
All of mine do. THEY ARE AWESOME!
Notably so...
They DO sound better, perhaps measurably.
(on a scope, mine is dead)
There is NO MYSTERY here.
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good link / resource
What is an “Electrostatic Shield”?
"The shield is grounded and thus shunts some noise and transients to the ground path rather than passing them through to the secondary."
What is an “Electrostatic Shield”?
"The shield is grounded and thus shunts some noise and transients to the ground path rather than passing them through to the secondary."