Well nuts. New Antek just arrived. Out of box, multimeter to find pairs of secondary wires, then check continuity on primary wires, one of the primaries appears open. The red and black buzzes on one, the other pair does not. Bummer.
Russellc
Russellc
Yeah.
They probably have a whole spool of wire with defects in the insulation.
I used to buy Antek but switched to Avel Lindberg, even though they cost a little more you definitely get a higher quality product. Customer service is awesome too.
They probably have a whole spool of wire with defects in the insulation.
I used to buy Antek but switched to Avel Lindberg, even though they cost a little more you definitely get a higher quality product. Customer service is awesome too.
I did a PS Board with JPS that can be configured for independent RC outputs per channel like on all new Firstwatt products eg F6/F7.
He might have some boards left.
This will give you a quasi dual mono setup.
Searching on line in 500VA, the lowest voltage was 25+25. In 18+18 the 250 VA is most useful for First Watt clones.
Do you know if their 500 VÀ is made, or do I have to do custom order? Also, I don't know if they bother with single transformer custom orders? If these are available like that, I will be using them.
Russellc
Do you know if their 500 VÀ is made, or do I have to do custom order? Also, I don't know if they bother with single transformer custom orders? If these are available like that, I will be using them.
Russellc
I did a custom order for my 500VA transformer.
They will do single transformer custom orders - at least that was an option for me.
It was worth the extra money. A good transformer will last a lifetime. When you think about it - it's one of the most critical components in your amp. People are quite happy spending crazy money on other components but then tend to want skimp on the transformer.
If you got say 5 other people in on a group buy it would bring the costs down.
I went with 19V secondaries - doesn't cost anymore. Custom is Custom.
I would suggest you also tell them you want a small diameter but tall in height core. It will give you more space in the amp.
I also added electrostatic and magnetic shielding.
They will do single transformer custom orders - at least that was an option for me.
It was worth the extra money. A good transformer will last a lifetime. When you think about it - it's one of the most critical components in your amp. People are quite happy spending crazy money on other components but then tend to want skimp on the transformer.
If you got say 5 other people in on a group buy it would bring the costs down.
I went with 19V secondaries - doesn't cost anymore. Custom is Custom.
I would suggest you also tell them you want a small diameter but tall in height core. It will give you more space in the amp.
I also added electrostatic and magnetic shielding.
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Ask for a quotation for a single, five, and ten transformers then see if you might be able to get a group buy happening, based on those prices.
do you think a group buy with people from Europe like me will work?
I am in for the 500VA 19v 2pico ordered
I am in for the 500VA 19v 2pico ordered
I'm not doing a group buy, just going to buy 2 of them.
The M2 put back in stereo mode has worked perfectly for 2 nights listening, so I'm all but positive the transformer was what failed. Otherwise, some intermittent problem that got solved just by total dis assembly and putting back together. Possible, but I don't think so.
Too many projects to finish right now, but I do want to explore further with proper load to make sure. I haven't heard back from Antek yet. I wouldn't think that's a problem, open primary right out of the box.
Russellc
Russellc
The M2 put back in stereo mode has worked perfectly for 2 nights listening, so I'm all but positive the transformer was what failed. Otherwise, some intermittent problem that got solved just by total dis assembly and putting back together. Possible, but I don't think so.
Too many projects to finish right now, but I do want to explore further with proper load to make sure. I haven't heard back from Antek yet. I wouldn't think that's a problem, open primary right out of the box.
Russellc
Russellc
I guess we could see who might be interested from Europe.
My order was through Avel Lindberg in England so it would be very easy to get them to remake the same custom order.
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It certainly has worked out that the transformer may have given up the ghost. That happens...the Anteks are very affordable and I used a lot of them successfully. I feel confident you made the correct diagnosis.
Nothing appears browned, burnt, nada, not counting the CL-60 of course. Apparently the rectifiers are good and same with caps on PS board. I stripped this down to empty chassis and could not find any signs of any heat, burnt residue, nothing anywhere. The only variable left is transformer. When time allows, I will figure out how to test it. I got a few years of regular use, so I'm good on that score. Sometimes parts fail.
The new transformer with what looks like open primary is a different story. If it is indeed defective, well, that happens too. I'm confident they will do the right thing.
Worst part is, whole project on hold as far as M2 half is concerned. I could begin changing boards to get back to 1/2 and 1/2 mono blocks, but I'm enjoying listening to Aleph J right now!
Russellc
Nothing appears browned, burnt, nada, not counting the CL-60 of course. Apparently the rectifiers are good and same with caps on PS board. I stripped this down to empty chassis and could not find any signs of any heat, burnt residue, nothing anywhere. The only variable left is transformer. When time allows, I will figure out how to test it. I got a few years of regular use, so I'm good on that score. Sometimes parts fail.
The new transformer with what looks like open primary is a different story. If it is indeed defective, well, that happens too. I'm confident they will do the right thing.
Worst part is, whole project on hold as far as M2 half is concerned. I could begin changing boards to get back to 1/2 and 1/2 mono blocks, but I'm enjoying listening to Aleph J right now!
Russellc
It sounds strange that you can get a defective transformer "out of the box". I assume they test all before they leave the factory. If open primary it can only be the connection between the "wounding wire" and the "connection wire"?
If no connection then imagine if connection just was bad.....it could let to a fire at the bad contact point as heat would be developed.
Is the connection wire 100% free of insulation at "your end"? ....so when you measure resistance no insulation is "blocking"?
If no connection then imagine if connection just was bad.....it could let to a fire at the bad contact point as heat would be developed.
Is the connection wire 100% free of insulation at "your end"? ....so when you measure resistance no insulation is "blocking"?
@marconi118 - I believe Tiger Toroids in the UK does excellent custom toroids too. Much closer therefore shipping way less.
I have had good experience with Talema toroids.
Custom Toroidal Transformers : The Talema Group
.....you may not call them strictly German.......
Custom Toroidal Transformers : The Talema Group
.....you may not call them strictly German.......
I wondered about quality control, I guess this one slipped by. I was do surprised I measured it several times, jiggled the wires slightly. Transformer appears fine and no damage to box or packing. Just flat measures open on one of the primaries.
No fire occured, when primary tested open, I didn't install it. Odd as it is, there you have it. Out of the box one primary is open.
Yes, the insulation is stripped and pre soldered. I understand about insulation!
Russellc
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Have an email from Antek, stating he is sending out a replacement. Very good.
I keep staring at this transformer thinking "I must have measured wrong wires" even though I checked several times. Once I read Antek's email I remeasured the transformer. One primary (red-black pair with Antek) has continuity and measures about 1.3 ohms or so, the other pair sounds no continuity and measures open.
I took out the one that failed and it's primary pairs measured right, as did both of the new Avel-Lindbergs's primary pairs.
The transformer looks brand new, well it is but darn frustrating it has an odd problem. Not sure how these are constructed but I assume the problem would be where the insulated leads connect to the transformer winding? I don't see the wire breaking inside the insulation, its a pretty stout gauge and multi-strand.
Russellc
I keep staring at this transformer thinking "I must have measured wrong wires" even though I checked several times. Once I read Antek's email I remeasured the transformer. One primary (red-black pair with Antek) has continuity and measures about 1.3 ohms or so, the other pair sounds no continuity and measures open.
I took out the one that failed and it's primary pairs measured right, as did both of the new Avel-Lindbergs's primary pairs.
The transformer looks brand new, well it is but darn frustrating it has an odd problem. Not sure how these are constructed but I assume the problem would be where the insulated leads connect to the transformer winding? I don't see the wire breaking inside the insulation, its a pretty stout gauge and multi-strand.
Russellc
@marconi118,
Müller Rondo (Induktive Bauteile wie Ringkerntransformatoren, Ringkerndrosseln, Induktive Bauelemente, Bauteile) build them you like. I'm using them for many many project.
Special requests like shield, shield winding, double insulated cables .... no problem. My 1st source!
Müller Rondo (Induktive Bauteile wie Ringkerntransformatoren, Ringkerndrosseln, Induktive Bauelemente, Bauteile) build them you like. I'm using them for many many project.
Special requests like shield, shield winding, double insulated cables .... no problem. My 1st source!