anyone know the different 'sound signature' that comes from using either a toroid or IE-trafo, with the same amp design ?
Im not interested in which sounded better or anything, only want to hear if anyone know the difference ?
Im not interested in which sounded better or anything, only want to hear if anyone know the difference ?
A toroid gives a more rounded sound, but with a noticeable 'hole' in mid-range. 😎
EI gives a sharp sound, with all the instruments lined up in neat rows.
EI gives a sharp sound, with all the instruments lined up in neat rows.
If you believe in this kind of religion, then you might also consider that different amplifiers will behave differently. So while trying to avoid the terminology that some would use to describe whatever a "sound signature" can be, just because a toroidal power transformer might make one design have more of characteristic A, the same transformer might cause a different amplifier to have less of characteristic A and more of B.
Personally, I choose to go with the engineer's view. As has been stated before, if the amplifier is well designed and the power supply after the transformer is well designed, then for a given voltage and power rating, the topology of the transformer should not matter. After all, the power transformer should NOT be in the signal path, whereas the power supply output and its reservoir capacitors most certainly is.
Last edited:
Obviously those that have a belly band give a tight, constrained sound (like every thing playing in a small room). The split bobbin effect is a bit like the toroid - nothing in the middle, but perhaps the two sides being a bit closer together. Layer wound - all mixed up.
Just a hunch...
UI-trafos
I have a few of those
mostly made for industrial use
some say it works almost like a C-core
if nothing else, I like how they look, at least
why not study and learn how tubes work? and how changing operating points in a circuit impacts the sound? this could be more exciting than conducting experiments as to which resistor sounds best or which capacitors sounds best......
to me botique parts are branded parts that are very costly compared to generics.....i have listened to them and to me it does not justify the high cost...
an old Sound Practices article - by Mike Lafevre of Magnequest - on choosing a power transformers.
The Core Issues: Choosing A Power Transformer Article By Michael S. LaFevre Of MagneQuest Transformer Company
personally I use Hammond iron!
The Core Issues: Choosing A Power Transformer Article By Michael S. LaFevre Of MagneQuest Transformer Company
personally I use Hammond iron!
I agree. I'm embarking on project building a tube amp from scratch. I imagine it will be highly enlightening.
You are missing out the word from the sub-station transformer which has all sorts of mid frequency AM added for monitoring. 22.00pm every night in the EU has a FSK tone to change tarifs from peak to cheap....No-one has ever mentioned this pernicious AM breaking through the earth and supply lines...SE amps which have an inherently poor AM supply noise rejection would be the first to hear this, regardless of choice of core material.
Drive under the 220-400kV overland lines with the radio on AM and one will hear it all the interference pollution.
richy
Is anyone familiar with this chap on AA who makes custom transformers? Is he reputable?
A special Power Transformer actually DOES exist - drlowmu - Tube DIY Asylum
A special Power Transformer actually DOES exist - drlowmu - Tube DIY Asylum
never heard of him before.....if you want good quality output transformers, you can touch bases with BudP, Bud Purvine, he is a member here or contact Magnaquest....MagneQuest Transformers: The top name in tube audio transformers or Jack Elliano.....http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/49879-jack-elliano-electra-print-tx-based-preamp.html
i would love to see pictures of his traffos, the specs he gave are not really hard to do, just more materials and more wight and ultimately more costs, that's all......
you have to realize also that using tube rects, there is a required impedance that the plates need to see to ensure damage free operation, so much so that having low dcr on the plate windings, you will have to install outboard resistors to meet requirements, some called for 100ohms....so you see every idea has consequences....
what i would have liked to hear him say is that he uses M6 cores, that he uses electrostatic shields, that he uses double insulated magnet wires.....then his post would have meant something to me....
- Status
- Not open for further replies.