how to build a pre using S&B TX-102 transformers

Hello!

If there is also a wire marked +6 then they are MK II. The MK I and the MK III had primary markings of '+', '-', '++', and '--'. Likely you just will tuck that +6 wire away - most systems don't need the gain and the load for your source is a bit easier when not using the +6db gain mode. There may also be one extra tap wire than you have room for on your switch and if that is the case plan which one to skip before you start wiring - usually skip one of the lower taps like -43db but if you have horn speakers then you could skip one up at the top like maybe the 2db tap.

BTW - Nice looking front and back panel plates!

Have fun with the project.

Thansk!

John
 
Hello!

If there is also a wire marked +6 then they are MK II. The MK I and the MK III had primary markings of '+', '-', '++', and '--'. Likely you just will tuck that +6 wire away - most systems don't need the gain and the load for your source is a bit easier when not using the +6db gain mode. There may also be one extra tap wire than you have room for on your switch and if that is the case plan which one to skip before you start wiring - usually skip one of the lower taps like -43db but if you have horn speakers then you could skip one up at the top like maybe the 2db tap.

BTW - Nice looking front and back panel plates!

Have fun with the project.

Thansk!

John
Hi John! Thanks for the information - I wish I had taken better notes when I looked them over yesterday... I'll take another look later.

By the way, this current project is up against some stiff competition here! :)

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Hello!

Sounds like maybe an early rev mk I. I recall that all the ones I had here were dual primary coils - for 6 db gain mode. There were some early ones with fewer taps like the one you have. Wire it with + to the hot input and - to the gnd side. Then the taps to the switch. Check that white wire marked - for any connection to the primary or secondary. If it has no connection then it is a screen wire and can be grounded. If it has a connection report back and we can noodle out what it might be.

Btw - Do you know the origin of those transformers?

Thanks!

John
 
Funny you should ask, John. The previous owner said he got them from you. :)

Just confirmed that the white - wire is connected to the secondary winding. Five bucks says it's the "blank" wire that goes to output cold as in the spec sheet:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070710172959/http://www.stevens-billington.co.uk/page102.htm
 
Hello!

I expect then that I did supply them - I guess I should recall better! In my defense it was well over 10 years back now though when I started selling them and they underwent a few changes along the way....

These must be early MK I transformers - the 19 taps tell that. Not too long after I started working with S&B I requested that they put a few more taps on - to better match most 23 position switches so most the ones I supplied had 23 (or 24 counting the -) secondary taps. The doc you link to was written by Thorsten early on so it shows the 19 taps like the unit you have.

The '-' will indeed be the bottom of the secondary and as shown it connects to the gnd side of the output jack.

You may connect a switch between the primary - and the secondary - so you can select floating the ground or connecting input ground to output ground. This connection can also simply be hardwired if your system prefers that hard grounding mode. If the system is quiet then you have the best connection. Some systems quite prefer one gnd mode or another and some are quiet either way.

There was typically also a 'screen' wire that would be connected ground but it could be on those early ones that connection was made internally. on the link you send it is listed as the black wire connected to the lamination. Since it does not exist on the units you have I suggest that you skip that connection.

Thanks!

John