Hi
Can anyone give me any guidance on where to obtain output trannies in the UK.
Not looking at anything specific just at the moment, but the problem I'm coming across is that UK suppliers seem to be extortionately priced in comparison to Edcor for example. I'd be going for Edcor except they won't ship to the UK or EU.
For example an Edcor 15w 4ohm is priced at 47 usd, anything from the UK is in £100's, a similar Sowter for instance is listed at £243.
I'm not all that knowledgable about OT's so may be missing the point altogether, but if anyone can give me more clarity it would be much appreciated.
Can anyone give me any guidance on where to obtain output trannies in the UK.
Not looking at anything specific just at the moment, but the problem I'm coming across is that UK suppliers seem to be extortionately priced in comparison to Edcor for example. I'd be going for Edcor except they won't ship to the UK or EU.
For example an Edcor 15w 4ohm is priced at 47 usd, anything from the UK is in £100's, a similar Sowter for instance is listed at £243.
I'm not all that knowledgable about OT's so may be missing the point altogether, but if anyone can give me more clarity it would be much appreciated.
The output transformer is the single most important part of a tube amp. There's a lot of sciences and voodoos that go into it, and you get what you pay for; a good one will cost hundreds of $ (plural intended). Only in the case of guitar amps the requirements can be relaxed and the prices adjusted accordingly.
Here's a pretty good overview of what's available and what's their worth; too bad they're don't test distortions. These guys are based in Thailand and sell their OPT for about 300$.
Here's a pretty good overview of what's available and what's their worth; too bad they're don't test distortions. These guys are based in Thailand and sell their OPT for about 300$.
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Really good OPT’s are expensive. I’ve used Sowter from the UK and I chose them because they are one of the best globally and service is excellent, but as you noticed their products are priced accordingly. If you can afford it, worth considering.
For moderately priced iron I get the bulk of my stuff from Hammond. Easy for me because they are local.
Iron is heavy, postage is the killer. Most likely the cheapest option will be Chinese because shipping costs are artificially low. Look on AliExpress.
Zung - nice data set, but although your Hammond data is correct it is out of date. The 1628SE was corrected and replaced by the 1628SEA to get rid of that ‘dip’ in the audible range, some years ago.
For moderately priced iron I get the bulk of my stuff from Hammond. Easy for me because they are local.
Iron is heavy, postage is the killer. Most likely the cheapest option will be Chinese because shipping costs are artificially low. Look on AliExpress.
Zung - nice data set, but although your Hammond data is correct it is out of date. The 1628SE was corrected and replaced by the 1628SEA to get rid of that ‘dip’ in the audible range, some years ago.
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RS Components supply a few UK made transformers.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/power-supplies-transformers/transformers/audio-transformers/
They are reputable and supply a data sheet with specifications.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/power-supplies-transformers/transformers/audio-transformers/
They are reputable and supply a data sheet with specifications.
Sadly, this is no longer the case: for serious irons, the shipping cost is higher than that of the trafos.
If you're OK with mid-Fi, you can order Hammond's through Digikey or Mouser and get free shipping for orders over $50-$60
Thanks everyone. I'm aware of the importance of the O/T in a valve amp, and not looking for cheap options, more that I've had no experience on the subject.
I only mentioned Edcor as it seems to be a popular tranny both on this forum and generally on line and isn't described as a budget brand that I've seen. It also sort of depends on what people regard as mid fi as Hammond and Edcor seem to get similar reviews/opinions.
My concern is that maybe things are inflated by hype as is often the case in the hifi industry, which is something I can mostly form an opinion on, but not in the case of O/T's due to total lack of knowledge/experience on the subject.
I only mentioned Edcor as it seems to be a popular tranny both on this forum and generally on line and isn't described as a budget brand that I've seen. It also sort of depends on what people regard as mid fi as Hammond and Edcor seem to get similar reviews/opinions.
My concern is that maybe things are inflated by hype as is often the case in the hifi industry, which is something I can mostly form an opinion on, but not in the case of O/T's due to total lack of knowledge/experience on the subject.
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I have had very good results from Hammond OPTs, such that the more expensive brands are harder to justify unless you are going all-out. Unfortunately, you gotta pay to play if you want to do a comparison that is meaningful = using your own ears. Your ability to discern small differences in sound quality develops with experience and is largely impacted by personal preferences and all the other stuff in the chain from source to speakers to the listening room. So even if Joe Blow says that after spending large $ on such and such, it brought a night and day improvement, it may be that you hear nothing really significant to your own enjoyment.
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Output transformers are a difficult one to compare since you can't just switch them back and forth in a minute or two.
I've looked at Sowter and been tempted but just can't bring myself to spend around $900 with shipping to the US just to see if I'm blown away by how much better than Edcor they are.
There also can be quite different DCR between brands which will affect the plate voltage and, it seems like it could also change the sound, either better or worse. And that could easily be interpreted as the transformer either being better or worse.
Similar to the way tube rolling between similar models could end up with one sounding better simply because it is more in its sweet spot than the others.
I'd love to see tubelab results like these for some of the expensive options
Output Transformers | Tubelab
I've looked at Sowter and been tempted but just can't bring myself to spend around $900 with shipping to the US just to see if I'm blown away by how much better than Edcor they are.
There also can be quite different DCR between brands which will affect the plate voltage and, it seems like it could also change the sound, either better or worse. And that could easily be interpreted as the transformer either being better or worse.
Similar to the way tube rolling between similar models could end up with one sounding better simply because it is more in its sweet spot than the others.
I'd love to see tubelab results like these for some of the expensive options
Output Transformers | Tubelab
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FYI - Sowter are inundated with orders and struggling to keep lead times down, although they are hiring it does mean they’re focussed on clearing their backlog. I discovered this whilst looking to buy two SE09’s, although I’ll probably go ahead and order them all the same.
That's what I'm getting at really, as with anything hifi it's a case of hugely increasing cost with diminishing returns, and I really don't want to remortgage my house for something that may or may not be noticeable to my ears
Thank for your input though, it's shone a bit of light through my personal fog
That's the way I feel TBH. As I said before, with most things hi fi related I'm able to form an opinion of what's worth what, with OTs I'm in the dark.
Everyone's input in has helped tremendously though.
You absolutely get what you pay for at Sowter's - years of knowledge, top quality materials and a fine product.
To make a decent output transformer requires complex layering of the windings to minimise capacitance and a top quality iron core. The best of them only just manage to cover the entire audio band.
Cut corners and you will suffer at both frequency extremes
Cut corners and you will suffer at both frequency extremes
The way I see it: transistor amps are getting pretty good these days, and dirt cheap: you can wire up a Pass F5 with a scrap piece of veroboard and maybe $100 worth of parts. Competing in this territory with tubes is mighty difficult.
However, if you can somehow up your budget to the 1-2K$ region, then yes, you're in play, maybe even afford the holy grails in terms of OPT such as the Sansui/Hashimoto, Tamura, Tango/Iso, and so on.
However, if you can somehow up your budget to the 1-2K$ region, then yes, you're in play, maybe even afford the holy grails in terms of OPT such as the Sansui/Hashimoto, Tamura, Tango/Iso, and so on.