Who’s left in the US?

[mdpaudio]

Now that Transcendar and Electra-print are gone, who is left making custom output transformers in the US that are higher quality than an Edcor. Edcor is ok but not really high end quality sound wise. Who’s still out there?

 

[mickeymoose]

Try: https://www.crimsonaudiotransformers.com/

 

[vinylkid58]

I don't see anything tube related on the Crimson website? Looks like all microphone stuff.

jeff

 

[Rick Miller]

Don't know if they will do custom, but there is Hammond.

 

[mdpaudio]

Hammond is of average off the shelf quality. It works for most middle of the road builds. They do not do custom.

 

[mdpaudio]

Crimson requires 50 or more to do custom builds. I need 2!

 

[Hearinspace]

I can't make a recommendation from personal experience but both Electra-Print and Intact Audio have peeps who say they're good.
There's also forum member Cerrem of Merrin Audio . I don't know his transformers but based on his contributions here it's my guess he's also worth talking to.

 

[mdpaudio]

Electra-print is no more, they has shut their doors due to costs going crazy. that is the problem in this new world post pandemic. Everything is too expensive!

 

[jcalvarez]

Boutique and custom transformers are and have been always expensive, before and after the pandemic.

 

[vinylkid58]

Especially when you using silver wire.

jeff

 

[Windcrest77]

Heyboer, I've never bought from them, but I've seen projects on the forum using custom units from them.

https://www.heyboertransformers.com/tubeamps.shtml

Triode electronics doesn't wind but they seem to have a supplier of Dynaco replacement units.

http://www.triodeelectronics.com/dytr.html

Edcor, Hammond

Antek is importing Chinese toroid OPT's.

Cinemag but for line level stuff

https://www.cinemag.biz/

More Dynaco's

https://www.dynakitparts.com/

Jensen line levels only

https://www.jensen-transformers.com/

Looks like guitar stuff, but they do make a few hifi units

https://www.musicalpowersupplies.com/

 

[HollowState]

Just before the pandemic got going the New Jersey Audio Society had a meeting hosted by Rogers High Fidelity in New York state when that was their main location. I noticed that they were using Hammond OPTs in at least some of their amplifiers. I mentioned to Roger that among the DIY community Hammond transformers were not considered great quality. He replied that the Hammonds he was using were specially made by Hammond to his specifications, and that you could not buy one from them of that equal. I took that with a grain of salt as it was the response I virtually expected. And I have no idea how true that really is or was. But perhaps Hammond may make specials if the quantity is right.

 

[mdpaudio]

I’m sure Hammond will do a custom run of 100 units or more but not two or four. I’ve gotten some nice units from China but I’d rather buy from the USA. The quality of the better Chinese units is good but shipping is more than the transformer!

 

[Windcrest77]

Makes you wish there were more winders right here to sell to this community. There is a marketplace section.

 

[xraylaser]

I have not tried this outfit but they gave been around a long time and it looks like they still manufacture in Illinois.

TMI Transformers

 

[tomchr]

I recall there being a blurb on Electra-Print's website about Jack wanting to sell the business. I guess there were no takers and then inflation/supply chain issues provided the final push.

Toroidy in Poland makes nice output transformers from what I hear.

Tom

 

[rif]

I don't have any experience with them, but try magnequest.

I don't think these are US, but lundahl.

 

[Bigun]

Just before the pandemic got going the New Jersey Audio Society had a meeting hosted by Rogers High Fidelity in New York state when that was their main location. I noticed that they were using Hammond OPTs in at least some of their amplifiers. I mentioned to Roger that among the DIY community Hammond transformers were not considered great quality. He replied that the Hammonds he was using were specially made by Hammond to his specifications, and that you could not buy one from them of that equal. I took that with a grain of salt as it was the response I virtually expected. And I have no idea how true that really is or was. But perhaps Hammond may make specials if the quantity is right.

I would believe it was true. Some years ago I went to their winding factory and left with a prototype custom wound push-pull transformer that their chief designer was v proud of, wound to v high standards and designed for high bandwidth to support global feedback. Haven‘t used it yet but have a thought brewing to build a PP 300B monoblock.

I think Hammond have some good transformers in their standard offerings, their spec are conservative, just need to avoid buying the cheapest guitar options. Their interstages have a great reputation so they know how to do it.

 

[kodabmx]

Hammond is of average off the shelf quality. It works for most middle of the road builds. They do not do custom.

Above average for off the shelf IMHO, and yes, they certainly do - but the transformer division is in Guelph, Ontario, Canada NOT the United States.
https://www.hammfg.com/electronics/transformers/custom

 

[rif]

try Google search. I came up with these guys who do custom, but I have no experience with them

https://www.mercurymagnetics.com/