I found that Fender TF110 or TF103
transformer is sold around $13-$20
in triode electronics. Can I use this part
for my audio amp? Sound really bad?
According to spec., TF103-48 (single ended)
has 100 Hz to 20 KHz -2 dB at 5 watts with 40 ma.
But they say [Reducing primary current improves the
bandwidth].
transformer is sold around $13-$20
in triode electronics. Can I use this part
for my audio amp? Sound really bad?
According to spec., TF103-48 (single ended)
has 100 Hz to 20 KHz -2 dB at 5 watts with 40 ma.
But they say [Reducing primary current improves the
bandwidth].
I wouldn't use it, it's meant for sound production, not reproduction.
If you want an inexpensive single ended output transformer, check out the Hammond 125 ESE. I just checked the Angela Instruments website and they're currently on sale:
http://www.angela.com/catalog/transformers/Hammond_Transformers.html
Guitar output transformers tend to be bandwidth limited and are designed to saturate in a given amp to create cool sounding distortion. This might be cool in a guitar amp, but not in an amp meant to listen to music.
Just my
If you want an inexpensive single ended output transformer, check out the Hammond 125 ESE. I just checked the Angela Instruments website and they're currently on sale:
http://www.angela.com/catalog/transformers/Hammond_Transformers.html
Guitar output transformers tend to be bandwidth limited and are designed to saturate in a given amp to create cool sounding distortion. This might be cool in a guitar amp, but not in an amp meant to listen to music.
Just my
You can use it but your low end will be nonexisistant. Would probably make a sweet midrange amp though.
Hey, I've used the worst of them all, a 2.5k maybe 1-2W transformer from a table radio, it sounds great as long as you don't expect it to reproduce anything below 100Hz or above 10k.
Tim
Hey, I've used the worst of them all, a 2.5k maybe 1-2W transformer from a table radio, it sounds great as long as you don't expect it to reproduce anything below 100Hz or above 10k.
Tim
zxx123 said:
BHD is correct when he points out that such transformers as the Fender one are designed for sound production.
Generally guitar amplifier transformers are simply not of the appropriate quality - however good they are at their jobs.
I tested a decent English guitar amp transformer; it was rated at 50W. Where it failed dismally was in the slewing distortion test. Simply put this involves putting a 10kHz sine wave at full power into it and having a look at what comes out; in this case the results were really very nasty whilst a test on a proper hi-fi transformer showed perfect 10kHz sine waves at full power.
And the other issue is the low end of the frequency response characteristic; 100Hz might be OK for listening to classical guitar music, but it would sound very thin on anything else.
I am sure that the recommended Hammond component would give much better results
7N7
Only opinion here ----
Depends on what and how you use it.
Some of that 'nasty' looking stuff is exactly what gives an amp its particular tone. If you use hi-fi iron straight from your guitar it may well just be TOO CLEAN - unless of course you just want a nice clean sound.
If - on the other hand - you have a guitar preamp/modeler (like a Line-6 PodXT or VOX Tonelab) which takes care of giving you the tones you are looking for, then I think a hi-fi amp would work great. This is actually the approach I am trying to work on. Worst case I end up with a good hi-fi amp.
Depends on what and how you use it.
Some of that 'nasty' looking stuff is exactly what gives an amp its particular tone. If you use hi-fi iron straight from your guitar it may well just be TOO CLEAN - unless of course you just want a nice clean sound.
If - on the other hand - you have a guitar preamp/modeler (like a Line-6 PodXT or VOX Tonelab) which takes care of giving you the tones you are looking for, then I think a hi-fi amp would work great. This is actually the approach I am trying to work on. Worst case I end up with a good hi-fi amp.
In guitar amps we never expect anything over 5kHz coming out anyway. The transformer may do it, but the amp circuit doesn't care. The speaker certainly won't put out much over 5kHz. SO good hifi performance from guitar amp parts will just be the luck of the draw.
Using hifi transformers in guitar amps won't cause much of a stir. Same reasons - speaker rolls of in the 3-5kHz area, amp circuit expects that.
Play a guitar through a hifi and it sounds thin and crappy, in part due to the unwanted emphasis on highs.
AS a rule we look at hifi stuff in general as less efficient. A 3db drop in efficiency is the same as cutting the power in half - not desired.
Guitar amps are anything but flat. In some of the amp forums, guys will ask what the "flat settings" are on some amp or another. We have to tell them there are no flat settings.
Though they use the same technology, guitar amp and hifi stuff is just different. Sorta like gasoline and diesel engines - similar, but suited to different things.
Using hifi transformers in guitar amps won't cause much of a stir. Same reasons - speaker rolls of in the 3-5kHz area, amp circuit expects that.
Play a guitar through a hifi and it sounds thin and crappy, in part due to the unwanted emphasis on highs.
AS a rule we look at hifi stuff in general as less efficient. A 3db drop in efficiency is the same as cutting the power in half - not desired.
Guitar amps are anything but flat. In some of the amp forums, guys will ask what the "flat settings" are on some amp or another. We have to tell them there are no flat settings.
Though they use the same technology, guitar amp and hifi stuff is just different. Sorta like gasoline and diesel engines - similar, but suited to different things.
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