Hi everyone:
I'm building an LM3886-based Gainclone, and I'm looking for some good quality (hoping for Plitron) toroidal transformers in the Toronto area. Yes, I know I can buy some from the U.S., but shipping is looking like it's going to add up to about $70.00 at least, and I'd rather spend that money on txformers than transportation.
I've been down to Active Surplus, and they had some, but nothing suitable for a Gainclone.
Does anyone know of a less expensive place to pick up HQ toroids in the GTA or at least in Canada?
I'm building an LM3886-based Gainclone, and I'm looking for some good quality (hoping for Plitron) toroidal transformers in the Toronto area. Yes, I know I can buy some from the U.S., but shipping is looking like it's going to add up to about $70.00 at least, and I'd rather spend that money on txformers than transportation.
I've been down to Active Surplus, and they had some, but nothing suitable for a Gainclone.
Does anyone know of a less expensive place to pick up HQ toroids in the GTA or at least in Canada?
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Did you try a Hammond distributor?
Hammond Mfg. - Toroid Power Transformer - (182 Series)
This page has a wack of them in yours area. Even if they had to order them in for you to pick up, I'm sure it would be a reasonably quick affair as everything should be located within the province, including Active http://www.hammondmfg.com/cregion.htm
FYI: I think Plitron is also made in Ontario, maybe you could arrange to zip down to Concord and pick them up yourself.
Hammond Mfg. - Toroid Power Transformer - (182 Series)
This page has a wack of them in yours area. Even if they had to order them in for you to pick up, I'm sure it would be a reasonably quick affair as everything should be located within the province, including Active http://www.hammondmfg.com/cregion.htm
FYI: I think Plitron is also made in Ontario, maybe you could arrange to zip down to Concord and pick them up yourself.
These guys helped me out years ago...
toroid transformers, transformers, toroidal power transformers, toroids
toroid transformers, transformers, toroidal power transformers, toroids
I live in the Toronto area, and I keep eyeballing these guys:
A1 Electronic Parts - Serving the Toronto area for 30 years!
Unfortunately I'm still too much of a noob to be able to determine if their parts would be considered up to snuff, but you can be the judge.
A1 Electronic Parts - Serving the Toronto area for 30 years!
Unfortunately I'm still too much of a noob to be able to determine if their parts would be considered up to snuff, but you can be the judge.
Thanks everyone. I will take a look at Hammond and Toroid International models to see if anything will work for my Gainclone.
OrangeHorse: Are you thinking about building anything to start your adventure?
OrangeHorse: Are you thinking about building anything to start your adventure?
I've been lurking around on this site for a couple of months, as well as reading up on related material. Started out as idle curiosity but appears to be turning into a bit of an obsession. I'll probably be heading out to that A1 place pretty soon myself to pick up basic stuff, and probably one of those kits they offer as a sort of initial project to try things out. Haven't made up my mind yet, though.
What would you suggest?
What would you suggest?
Hmmm...I may not be the best person to ask, but...
Have you any soldering soldering skills or experience? Any background with technical subjects or engineering? Electronics knowledge?
Are your hands steady? I decided to build some open baffle woofer panels, but then realized before I did that, I would need a second amp (active setup). So I decided to build a Gainclone.
A Gainclone is a good starter project, I think, as you learn some basics about electronics. I just started and will say that I've run into a few problems along the way which required persistence/patience to stay with it. I look at it as a long-term gratification thing, and that helps me to stay with it. That, and some occasional cursing/swearing.
You probably know that Peter Daniel, who sells the Audio Sector Gainclone kits, is in our city.
Speaker drivers can be had at quite a discount if you know where to look and get lucky. Maybe build a simple pair of speakers from a plan or kit?
Have you any soldering soldering skills or experience? Any background with technical subjects or engineering? Electronics knowledge?
Are your hands steady? I decided to build some open baffle woofer panels, but then realized before I did that, I would need a second amp (active setup). So I decided to build a Gainclone.
A Gainclone is a good starter project, I think, as you learn some basics about electronics. I just started and will say that I've run into a few problems along the way which required persistence/patience to stay with it. I look at it as a long-term gratification thing, and that helps me to stay with it. That, and some occasional cursing/swearing.
You probably know that Peter Daniel, who sells the Audio Sector Gainclone kits, is in our city.
Speaker drivers can be had at quite a discount if you know where to look and get lucky. Maybe build a simple pair of speakers from a plan or kit?
I called A1 Electronics and spoke with someone who works there. This is sounding very good.🙂
He told me that they have plenty of Hammond 182-series toroids in stock at the moment, as seen here:
A1 Electronics - Hammond Toroidal transformers stock
182 Series
and he said that if I wanted another unit from Hammond OR Plitron, all I
had to do was call and give him the model number, and they could order it in, typically at a discounted price ( I forgot to ask how discounted) and they would get it in typically 3-4 business days.
Now all I have to do is figure out which transformer to get. For now, I've only got woofers that are 5 ohms nominal, so running them in parallel (as per Linkwitz's specfication) would yield 2.5 ohms in parallel! I've been told the LM3886 may not be stable with a load impedance that low.
Thank you to all, especially Orange Horse.
He told me that they have plenty of Hammond 182-series toroids in stock at the moment, as seen here:
A1 Electronics - Hammond Toroidal transformers stock
182 Series
and he said that if I wanted another unit from Hammond OR Plitron, all I
had to do was call and give him the model number, and they could order it in, typically at a discounted price ( I forgot to ask how discounted) and they would get it in typically 3-4 business days.
Now all I have to do is figure out which transformer to get. For now, I've only got woofers that are 5 ohms nominal, so running them in parallel (as per Linkwitz's specfication) would yield 2.5 ohms in parallel! I've been told the LM3886 may not be stable with a load impedance that low.
Thank you to all, especially Orange Horse.
Ive ordered from there many times. Never had an issue other than their shipping is a tad high but if you live in TO you should be fine. I believe they actually keep stock of a lot more hammond stuff than Parts Conexxion does.
Thanks Kendt! Great thread we've got going here. Can anyone comment on their experience with quality of Hammond toroids vs. Plitron and Avel etcetera?
Unfortunately when I said 'noob' I really meant it, and when I said 'basic supplies' I meant that I'm going to have to get a soldering iron/station and all the fixins. As for the state of my hands, they seemed to have served me fairly well over the years when it comes to fine work, unfortunately I haven't been as kind to them. Punching too many holes in walls lately, so I'm interested in finding something more constructive to do with them.
I've spent the whole day researching the topic of Gainclones, after reading your post, and it has been extremely informative. A lot to digest also. I like the sound of it (so to speak) and will probably be pursuing it, so thanks for the tip. Also glad the A1 link worked out for you.
As for speakers, I find myself extremely drawn to this design:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/239338-mini-karlsonator-0-53x-dual-tc9fds.html
I've had dreams about those drivers, in all seriousness, and feel compelled to follow my heart in this.
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