I've done some basic searching and it seems to me that the sources for transformers suitable for tube amp projects (for Hifi) are in short supply in the US. And it seems to me that NONE of the "higher end" Japanese brands are available here at all (ie., Tamura, Hashimoto, Iso (Tango). Who do we have that build products that compete in that league? Or is Hammond right up there? Who else.
Can you folks list the manufacturers that are readily available in the USA for purchase?
Justin
Can you folks list the manufacturers that are readily available in the USA for purchase?
Justin
What kind of transformers are you looking for? Push-pull, series feed (SE), power?
US Manufacturers:
One-Electron (Classictone)
Intact Audio
Edcor
Heyboer
Transcendar
Whether they compete with the Japanese brands you mentioned depends a lot on what you're looking for specfically.
US Manufacturers:
One-Electron (Classictone)
Intact Audio
Edcor
Heyboer
Transcendar
Whether they compete with the Japanese brands you mentioned depends a lot on what you're looking for specfically.
I’m just looking to build a push pull tube amplifier. I have a fairly large collection of vintage tube amps, and so plenty of iron abounds. But I’d like to think that the state of the transformer art has advanced in the last 60 years. I just finished a dual mono 6V6 amp using old Ampex iron. I quite like it . . . But I wonder what might be accomplished when not confined to old iron from Ampex and Fisher and Knight and Scott.
Hammond seems an obvious choice. But I have heard some of the very fine stuff out of Japan (Leben, Air Tight, etc.,) and the circuits are NOT AT ALL fancy or ground breaking. Which leads to me to believe it has at least something to do with the iron. And NONE of those manufacturers seem to be offered here in the US. So what IS available here? Is there any US competition? Hell, maybe Hammond is just as good. 🤷*♂️ I don’t know.
Hammond seems an obvious choice. But I have heard some of the very fine stuff out of Japan (Leben, Air Tight, etc.,) and the circuits are NOT AT ALL fancy or ground breaking. Which leads to me to believe it has at least something to do with the iron. And NONE of those manufacturers seem to be offered here in the US. So what IS available here? Is there any US competition? Hell, maybe Hammond is just as good. 🤷*♂️ I don’t know.
Maybe these guys? Tube Amp Parts - Page 1 - AnTek Products Corp
I've used their products for years and they've never disappointed. In the interest of full disclosure I don't build with vacuum state devices, so I have no experience with their "tube parts" lineup.
Mike
I've used their products for years and they've never disappointed. In the interest of full disclosure I don't build with vacuum state devices, so I have no experience with their "tube parts" lineup.
Mike
If you want top shelf stuff for push-pull, you'll be looking at a very small number of companies internationally. There are the Japanese options, Sowter, Monolith, Intact, and maybe a few others.
Parts selection, circuit design, and build quality will all contribute to the end results.
Parts selection, circuit design, and build quality will all contribute to the end results.
If you said you wanted to build a single ended amps, I would recommend Sowter and Monolith above pretty much anything from Japan. For PP amps, the differences are less stark IMO.
Sowter is good quality, altough high prices. Not the best of the best but worth the price. And they do customs.
Lundahl is another reputed company which has a broad offering. A swedish company which use automatic wiring machines and can offer competitive prices.
Audio Note offers transformers for DIY, too.
If you want an el cheapo transformer, you can go to asian websites.
Lundahl is another reputed company which has a broad offering. A swedish company which use automatic wiring machines and can offer competitive prices.
Audio Note offers transformers for DIY, too.
If you want an el cheapo transformer, you can go to asian websites.
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Additional U.S.A. sources include ElectraPrint and MagneQuest.
Anybody good, anywhere, will not come cheap.
The art of transformer winding may have declined in recent decades, due to lack of high volume demand.
Anybody good, anywhere, will not come cheap.
The art of transformer winding may have declined in recent decades, due to lack of high volume demand.
You asked just on a sad day.
Today I read about respected Audio Transformer manufacturer Magnetic Components/Classictone shutting down after *three generations* because of dramatically falling sales, dramatically rising costs , plust the bullet-in-the-head COVID situation being the straw that broke the camel´s back.
A sad day for US Industry and Audio aficionados:
Classic Tone/Magnetic Components Going Out of Business - Music Electronics Forum
Today I read about respected Audio Transformer manufacturer Magnetic Components/Classictone shutting down after *three generations* because of dramatically falling sales, dramatically rising costs , plust the bullet-in-the-head COVID situation being the straw that broke the camel´s back.
A sad day for US Industry and Audio aficionados:
Classic Tone/Magnetic Components Going Out of Business - Music Electronics Forum
That's ridiculous considering many other winders are so busy that they are posting 3 month lead times.
Well, I just dropped $500 on some One-Electron parts since maybe those will go away too.
Well, I just dropped $500 on some One-Electron parts since maybe those will go away too.
Additional U.S.A. sources include ElectraPrint and MagneQuest.
Anybody good, anywhere, will not come cheap.
The art of transformer winding may have declined in recent decades, due to lack of high volume demand.
It seems like magnequest is out of business. They (he) seem(s) to have no Internet presence at all. Too bad - as this company seems to own the peerless/Acrosound IP.
I’ve had great luck with Transcendar transformers. They are well made and not outrageously expensive.
Don't see Hammond anywhere in this thread. Their products are widely available. And it doesn't look like they will go out of business anytime soon.🙂