Hi all,
I recently built a Tubelab SE with 45's with ElectraPrint OPT's and sound is amazing.
I'm thinking about another TSE with 300B's and would like to try a different brand of OPT's (The EP's are wonderful, I simply want to try something else)
I'm specifically interested in ISO, Hashimoto or O'netics.
Looking for folks experience in any of the listed models below:
In the preferred budget, there is:
ISO FC-20S
Hashimoto HC-203U
O'netics Level 1
In the higher range there is:
ISO FC-30-3.5S-II
Hashimoto H-20-3.5U
O'netics Level 2.
Both offer similar chokes (10H @ 200mA, ~150R) in the ISO LC-10-200D-II and Hashimoto CC-10-200W.
Honestly this system is only going to be used occasionally so anything from the higher budget is pretty much overkill. Just listed them here in case anyone had direct experience with them.
I recently built a Tubelab SE with 45's with ElectraPrint OPT's and sound is amazing.
I'm thinking about another TSE with 300B's and would like to try a different brand of OPT's (The EP's are wonderful, I simply want to try something else)
I'm specifically interested in ISO, Hashimoto or O'netics.
Looking for folks experience in any of the listed models below:
In the preferred budget, there is:
ISO FC-20S
Hashimoto HC-203U
O'netics Level 1
In the higher range there is:
ISO FC-30-3.5S-II
Hashimoto H-20-3.5U
O'netics Level 2.
Both offer similar chokes (10H @ 200mA, ~150R) in the ISO LC-10-200D-II and Hashimoto CC-10-200W.
Honestly this system is only going to be used occasionally so anything from the higher budget is pretty much overkill. Just listed them here in case anyone had direct experience with them.
itsikhefez,
Those are nice choices. No direct experience with any of those.
Have you considered One Electron from the US? They make nice output transformers with multiple secondary taps (4,8,16). They 2 models that can be used in a Tubleab SE-II - the UBT-3 (3k primary) and UBT-2 (5k primary). Pricing would be around 50% for what you would be paying for some the ones you listed.
Btw, is Onetics still making transformers?
For choke, Hammond 193J and 193J are two other options, and so is the Triad has C-14X (which is ugly, but cost effective; you can hide it under the chassis).
Those are nice choices. No direct experience with any of those.
Have you considered One Electron from the US? They make nice output transformers with multiple secondary taps (4,8,16). They 2 models that can be used in a Tubleab SE-II - the UBT-3 (3k primary) and UBT-2 (5k primary). Pricing would be around 50% for what you would be paying for some the ones you listed.
Btw, is Onetics still making transformers?
For choke, Hammond 193J and 193J are two other options, and so is the Triad has C-14X (which is ugly, but cost effective; you can hide it under the chassis).
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I have not considered the One Electrons for this amp. If my budget changes those and the Transcendars definitely look like good options.
Onetics are shut down as far as I know, but I contacted one of the distributors and they have remaining stock for 45/2A3/300B. The price would be between the One Electron's and one of the cheaper ISO/Hashimoto I listed.
Much has been said about the Hashimoto and older Tango/ISO-Tango that if I go with something else, I will always think "what if" and at some point try them anyway.
Onetics are shut down as far as I know, but I contacted one of the distributors and they have remaining stock for 45/2A3/300B. The price would be between the One Electron's and one of the cheaper ISO/Hashimoto I listed.
Much has been said about the Hashimoto and older Tango/ISO-Tango that if I go with something else, I will always think "what if" and at some point try them anyway.
Save a bit of money and consider James Audio.
Very good quality and I cannot fault the performance of my OPT's and choke.
Very good quality and I cannot fault the performance of my OPT's and choke.
Alas, no. It appears they closed up shop a couple of years ago, which is a real shame because they filled a real gap between the pricey-but-good and the cheap-but-mediocre. And they were potted to boot. I never got the chance to use their power transformers, but their OPTs were great.
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James is not out of business. I received an email from James (JIANSHIN ELECTRONICS CO) yesterday saying they are currently producing but have 0 stock and would get back to me when available.
I’ve been a fan of the Js-6123hs Universal output transformers after building Pete Milletts E-linear amp. I found them comparable in looks and sound to the Tango universals I owned.
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Thanks for setting me straight. Excellent news! I was under the impression they'd stopped production since the only US distributor (tctubes) hasn't updated their stock in ~3 years or so, and various international sites seemed to believe they were no longer in business.
I've long been a fan of their products, as they seem to strike a good balance between performance, price and overall finish.
I've long been a fan of their products, as they seem to strike a good balance between performance, price and overall finish.
It would be nice if TC stocked them again. These transformers have always been tough to source.
My friend in Taiwan lugged 4 pairs back on a plane for me early this year. Shipping from Asia to North America adds a lot to the overall cost. These were from a small repair shop that went out of business, likely the last ones manufactured in a few years.
Good info about James here.
Still interested to hear if anyone has experience with ISO (former TANGO) or Hashimoto with 300B's. Can be with a Tubelab or other circuit
Still interested to hear if anyone has experience with ISO (former TANGO) or Hashimoto with 300B's. Can be with a Tubelab or other circuit
Can you please tell me where you bought the ElectraPrint OPTs used for your 45 amp? Where to buy and part number?
Thanks!
I bought them direct from Electra-Print.
Fill out the form at Ordering Products and Contacting Electra-Print and Jack will contact you pretty quickly. It helps to be specific about what you want.
For a 45 headphone amp I bought 5K:32, 50mA, 3W, although there are other options.. depends on your needs
Fill out the form at Ordering Products and Contacting Electra-Print and Jack will contact you pretty quickly. It helps to be specific about what you want.
For a 45 headphone amp I bought 5K:32, 50mA, 3W, although there are other options.. depends on your needs
Ordered direct from ISO- ISO TRANSFORMERS – 管球アンプ用トランス Audio Transformers for Tube Amplifiers
Mr. Osawa is very helpful over e-mail. Once order is placed, cargo from Japan to USA took about 1.5 weeks.
Mr. Osawa is very helpful over e-mail. Once order is placed, cargo from Japan to USA took about 1.5 weeks.
For 300B, I would like to connect 5K:8 and need some assistance on wiring the ISO..
For primary I need 8 & 10, for secondary 5 & 6, although I'm unsure of the polarity of the wiring
Link to manufacturer page
For primary I need 8 & 10, for secondary 5 & 6, although I'm unsure of the polarity of the wiring
Link to manufacturer page
