Hi all,
I'm attempting to silence my DBX compressor 161's transformer. The original EI core, 240V (multi-tap) to secondary centre tap 38V (19V either side) buzzes like crazy. I tried to silence it with red insulating varnish and vacuum impregnation (vacuum pump+chamber - 3CFM), which helped a bit, even after thinning the varnish and cure for 3 weeks. But it still buzzes. I bought the same transformer part on Ebay which was taken from another DBX unit, part number 110083 - 05. But it's louder than the original one..
I'm looking into sourcing a toroidal instead as the noise is diving me crazy. I am aware however this might alter the sound of the compression (I have read online)? Or anyone who has more insight if this is bull**** or not please can you advise? I have read that EI core transformers 'sound' more natural/better when being processed, but with Toroidals you have an extended high frequency range (right?)..
Should I have a go at dunking the second EI core for another shot at audio compression magic, or source a toroidal and be done with it (which may sound the same anyway in terms of audio quality)? Any help is appreciated. Thank you
Connor
I'm attempting to silence my DBX compressor 161's transformer. The original EI core, 240V (multi-tap) to secondary centre tap 38V (19V either side) buzzes like crazy. I tried to silence it with red insulating varnish and vacuum impregnation (vacuum pump+chamber - 3CFM), which helped a bit, even after thinning the varnish and cure for 3 weeks. But it still buzzes. I bought the same transformer part on Ebay which was taken from another DBX unit, part number 110083 - 05. But it's louder than the original one..
I'm looking into sourcing a toroidal instead as the noise is diving me crazy. I am aware however this might alter the sound of the compression (I have read online)? Or anyone who has more insight if this is bull**** or not please can you advise? I have read that EI core transformers 'sound' more natural/better when being processed, but with Toroidals you have an extended high frequency range (right?)..
Should I have a go at dunking the second EI core for another shot at audio compression magic, or source a toroidal and be done with it (which may sound the same anyway in terms of audio quality)? Any help is appreciated. Thank you
Connor
Conner,
The question that comes to mind whether or not this transformer has always made noise. Also the fact that the new transformer makes noise as well has me wondering if there might be a circuit problem or not. Lastly, does the new transformer buzz without it being hooked up to anything? That may lead us in a different direction.
The question that comes to mind whether or not this transformer has always made noise. Also the fact that the new transformer makes noise as well has me wondering if there might be a circuit problem or not. Lastly, does the new transformer buzz without it being hooked up to anything? That may lead us in a different direction.
Hello Ixnay, thank you. That is a very good point - I'm not sure about the circuit, but I will investigate. I bought this on Ebay recently, and the compressor seemed quite weak to be honest, so it could absolutely be the circuit. Changing the caps would be my first thought