Hi
The transformer on my Martin Logan Ascent went dead. So i am in need of a new transformer. My question is: well do i call ML and order a new transformer from them or anyone would know if there is an after market transformer that would work on the Ascent. Since these speaker are so old, im wondering if there is new technology transformer that would work better. Thank you for your times and have a wonderful day.
Trong
The transformer on my Martin Logan Ascent went dead. So i am in need of a new transformer. My question is: well do i call ML and order a new transformer from them or anyone would know if there is an after market transformer that would work on the Ascent. Since these speaker are so old, im wondering if there is new technology transformer that would work better. Thank you for your times and have a wonderful day.
Trong
How do you know the trafo is dead John ? Are you speaking of bias board trafo or step up trafo ? I once had an issue on the bias board trafo & very nice guru Bolsert took me through on how to test but I forgot where's the thread.
Cheers
Cheers
I did the old fashion way. I swap all parS i can took off till i found the culprit 🙂. It took me a long time.
And it is a step up tran went dead. speaker play sound but very soft and dull.
And it is a step up tran went dead. speaker play sound but very soft and dull.
If you're replacing one audio step-up transformer, get it from Martin Logan. That will produce the best match between speakers.
If you're talking about replacing left and right audio transformers, I still wouldn't suggest changing manufacturers unless someone has a detailed instruction set and experience with the exact thing you're doing. The transformer/crossover interaction is more involved with electrostatics than typical dynamic speakers. In most cases it's not a trivial swap.
If you're talking about replacing left and right audio transformers, I still wouldn't suggest changing manufacturers unless someone has a detailed instruction set and experience with the exact thing you're doing. The transformer/crossover interaction is more involved with electrostatics than typical dynamic speakers. In most cases it's not a trivial swap.
Hi Matt,
You have a good point there. Thank you for your advice.
Just spoke with ML service dept and place an order. It will take couple days for them to config the tranfo to match my speak. ML rep is very nice. Kudo to them.
You have a good point there. Thank you for your advice.
Just spoke with ML service dept and place an order. It will take couple days for them to config the tranfo to match my speak. ML rep is very nice. Kudo to them.
Hi....i been buying an working on logans for about 10 years
I have a pair pf Ascents stock tranfourmers i can sale....an others martin logan parts for the SL3,CLS 2. Acoustat parts an panels also
I well only sale Ascents as pr, 2ea for$300+shiping
If needed good luck
I have a pair pf Ascents stock tranfourmers i can sale....an others martin logan parts for the SL3,CLS 2. Acoustat parts an panels also
I well only sale Ascents as pr, 2ea for$300+shiping
If needed good luck
Hi Tyu
Oh man... I just order it from ML this morning. Glad to know you have these parts. Ill def get in touch with you later.
Trong
Oh man... I just order it from ML this morning. Glad to know you have these parts. Ill def get in touch with you later.
Trong
Just fyi....
The signal stepup transformer in Ascent were a newer type and nowhere near as robust as the transformers found in the Sequel1 and 2/Sl-3, amongst others.
They have very little tolerance for DC on your amp´s output, as one of my friends learned the hard way.
His monoblocks tended to wander around 2-300mV and put random "spikes" in the 3-4-5 volt area when really hot. Never a problem with his Sequel2, but when he changed to Ascent, the transormers burnt out 2 times within months, before he realized, that the monoblocks were the culprits.
I had the honor of rebuilding his monoblocks to make them 100% stable including a DC-servo, and they have performed for the last 10 years without burning his transformers 🙂
The signal stepup transformer in Ascent were a newer type and nowhere near as robust as the transformers found in the Sequel1 and 2/Sl-3, amongst others.
They have very little tolerance for DC on your amp´s output, as one of my friends learned the hard way.
His monoblocks tended to wander around 2-300mV and put random "spikes" in the 3-4-5 volt area when really hot. Never a problem with his Sequel2, but when he changed to Ascent, the transormers burnt out 2 times within months, before he realized, that the monoblocks were the culprits.
I had the honor of rebuilding his monoblocks to make them 100% stable including a DC-servo, and they have performed for the last 10 years without burning his transformers 🙂
Yes ....i have 3ea of the Stepup trans $200ea.....2ea bias boards....2ea Boxs an crossover boards for the CLS2.
As for driving any ESL with Solid State amps....Have never seen one that has no DC on its output when driven!.....Transfourmers dont like DC...ever!
Only amps i found that works well an sounds best to drive ESL stepup trans...are tube amps. After 40 years of trying any an all soild state amps i could find,
Mcintosh SS amps with the audiofourmes only ones that sound good an can drive a ESL trans.
all one mans finding
As for driving any ESL with Solid State amps....Have never seen one that has no DC on its output when driven!.....Transfourmers dont like DC...ever!
Only amps i found that works well an sounds best to drive ESL stepup trans...are tube amps. After 40 years of trying any an all soild state amps i could find,
Mcintosh SS amps with the audiofourmes only ones that sound good an can drive a ESL trans.
all one mans finding
Hi Tyu
How's the going ?
Am curious to your comment BoyDk, the XO of the Ascent has a series 30uf cap from the input terminal, should this not already block DC from the amp ?
How's the going ?
Am curious to your comment BoyDk, the XO of the Ascent has a series 30uf cap from the input terminal, should this not already block DC from the amp ?
Hi....caps can pass DC, if theres not a resistor to ground after the cap....
This brings to mind Nelson Pass telling me back in the 80-90 when i was in the Audio biz...He could live with up to 1 volt Dc on the output of his $5k SS amps.
Funny people still say why do tube amps sound so diff then SS.....Tube amps output transfourmers can never pass any DC to the speakers......
Not long a go i had a guy stop my place to hear my 30 year old pr of CLS...he had a Quad 909 SS amp made to drive ESLs...he could not get his mind around that a 50 year old 35 watt St70 drove my CLS as well an as loud as the 100watt 909...an sounded better .
lifes a trip
This brings to mind Nelson Pass telling me back in the 80-90 when i was in the Audio biz...He could live with up to 1 volt Dc on the output of his $5k SS amps.
Funny people still say why do tube amps sound so diff then SS.....Tube amps output transfourmers can never pass any DC to the speakers......
Not long a go i had a guy stop my place to hear my 30 year old pr of CLS...he had a Quad 909 SS amp made to drive ESLs...he could not get his mind around that a 50 year old 35 watt St70 drove my CLS as well an as loud as the 100watt 909...an sounded better .
lifes a trip
Thanks for responding tyu, bit to $$ for me by the time they are landed in Australia. Projects been on the backburner for a while so these threads are giving me a nudge 🙂. I had VTL compact 100's running the CLS ii's long time ago. They could sound jaw dropping.
Small 110 to 220 XAC isolation transformers cost not much on EBAY , For an ESL a 1/4 of half amp unit would be fine.
I had the speakers powered by a 300 power plant but the power plant broke down.
I bought one of these transformers on ebay but the sound is very low.