Hi All. These, and other models from EBay vendor HKAUDIO9 keep coming up on my email notifications. They are reasonably priced, but I can not find any information or reviews on them. Has anyone tried them out? Here is the link....
5K SE UL C-CORE AUDIO OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS (pair) FOR ,KT-88, EL-34 | eBay
5K SE UL C-CORE AUDIO OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS (pair) FOR ,KT-88, EL-34 | eBay
IMHO you can find much better deals in Canada or neighborhood USA, at least you will know what you are paying for.
There are really a lot of professional winders in your area.
There are really a lot of professional winders in your area.
I have used Edcor, which are great for the money if you live in the USA, but expensive once exchange to CAD and shipping, which is very expensive with Edcor, are added. I have also used Hammond, O-netics, and Electraprint, all good but pricey, and one pair from a local builder that sounded absolutely terrible. However, none of these are amorphous C-core transformers, which I’ve never tried, and which are normally much more expensive. Use what you and others know is good advice, but finding someone who has used these trafos would be nice so as to have another informed choice available at a reasonable price point.
If you want the best price on Hammond anything, go see Glen at A1 Parts. 196 North Queen.
Hammond Universal - Single Ended - Tube Output Transformers - (125 Series)
Hammond Single Ended Tube Output Transformers - (1627 - 1642 Series)
Hammond Universal - Single Ended - Tube Output Transformers - (125 Series)
Hammond Single Ended Tube Output Transformers - (1627 - 1642 Series)
Those transformers look like they were salvaged off the Titanic. I am suspect of anything from HK or China unless the seller is well known and/or has a good reputation.
Good amorphous core transformer will not be cheap. A good M6 or HiB will sound better than a bad amorphous core.
Good amorphous core transformer will not be cheap. A good M6 or HiB will sound better than a bad amorphous core.
kodabmx: A1 is definitely the best place to buy Hammond in the GTA. Glen’s pricing is well below anyone else, including online. The reports on the quality of Hammond’s larger SE transformers are, however, mixed at best. I’ve not used any of their 1627-1642 line before, having only tried the 125ESE, and it sounded okay, but not as good as similarity priced Edcor in my opinion. Mind you, the last time I ordered Edcor was a long time ago, when the exchange rate wasn’t so brutal. Edcor’s shipping charges are also very high. If you are in Canada, try putting two of their CX transformers in a cart and checking what the final cost in CAD will be to get them, and you will see what I mean.
THD+N: I am also leery about that. I noticed another thread from around 4 years ago about these same transformers. Someone must have tried them in that time. That last thread got no responses...
THD+N: I am also leery about that. I noticed another thread from around 4 years ago about these same transformers. Someone must have tried them in that time. That last thread got no responses...
I am using the Hammond 1627 in a 2A3 amp. I bought them almost 20 years ago. I love them despite other peoples experience(s). The bass is unbelievable as you would expect with 12 lbs of iron. The high end is also not too bad... my amp goes out to about 35~40kHz, good enough for me.
For me, the Edcor's are priced better, but if the Hammond were not almost double (today's prices), I would buy them again.
For me, the Edcor's are priced better, but if the Hammond were not almost double (today's prices), I would buy them again.
THD+N: it’s great to hear good things about Hammond’s 16XX OPTs. Buying Hammond, and having it be of good quality, is a best case scenario for me. I can order them and then pick them up locally at A1 without the cost of shipping and exchange rates. I will pick up a pair eventually and try them out myself. I realize that the 125ESE is not the same as the “for hifi” series, as it is has multiple primary and secondary taps and, according to Hammond, is not made for hifi use. That said, the amp I used the 125ESE in may not have had an optimal circuit either. Time to revisit my earlier builds.....
Yep 🙂 When I told him that, he said he was actually loosing money because Jane doesn't update the prices often enough LOL
I have a pair of 1628SEA transformers. They tested exceptionally well in a KT88 SE amp. I never used them just because of their physical size. They were overkill for the circuit too.
I can't see any reason to try the C cores, when the Hammond's do the job so well.
I can't see any reason to try the C cores, when the Hammond's do the job so well.
Hammond SE OPTs good after all...
audiopro: Another positive comment, despite the negative press. I think its time to try a pair of 1628SEA.
audiopro: Another positive comment, despite the negative press. I think its time to try a pair of 1628SEA.
Hi all, I decided to take a chance on a couple of small Amorphous C-Core SE output transformers on Aliexpress. $43 a pair plus shipping, so not expecting anything amazing 😀
The transformers arrived today and I was surprised to see that the cores are labelled AMCC 32, which suggests 2605SA1 alloy: https://elnamagnetics.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogs/Metglas/powerlite.pdf
I know nothing about transformers, and am not recommending these in any way (I know enough to know that there is a lot more to it than core material, and I don't know 100% that it's real 2605SA1 anyway).
Just sharing in case this info is helpful for anyone else that's spotted these. When I have the time I'll build a small 6C45 / 6s45p SPUD amp and report back.
The transformers arrived today and I was surprised to see that the cores are labelled AMCC 32, which suggests 2605SA1 alloy: https://elnamagnetics.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogs/Metglas/powerlite.pdf
I know nothing about transformers, and am not recommending these in any way (I know enough to know that there is a lot more to it than core material, and I don't know 100% that it's real 2605SA1 anyway).
Just sharing in case this info is helpful for anyone else that's spotted these. When I have the time I'll build a small 6C45 / 6s45p SPUD amp and report back.
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I would be interested in how you get on. They look ridiculously cheap to me. I cant buy
a pair of that size cores for that money. Ok they may buy in quantity but I wouldnt have thought the market for SE opt,s was that large.
They do look like amorphous cores though but I would expect they are unannealed. Might work well though. What was the DC spec?
a pair of that size cores for that money. Ok they may buy in quantity but I wouldnt have thought the market for SE opt,s was that large.
They do look like amorphous cores though but I would expect they are unannealed. Might work well though. What was the DC spec?
They are amorphous, don't expect much specs from them though. It's a 3.2cm2 core with a tiny window. And this alloy starts to drop permeability quite severely from 1T above.
Many thanks 50AE. I'm not expecting reference quality, but hopefully they will make a nice sound in a 1.5W SPUD amp.