Euphonia Audio Kaput

[Shannon Parks]

Thanks, Keith, and good luck in the future.

So where do we get our James outputs now? Any regular suppliers? Should I grab some Transcendars or alternate?

[TerrySmith]

Maybe one of our online vendors can start selling James transformers?

Anyone tried the One Electron transformers that AES sells?

[SDS-PAGE]

From what I hear, the Trascendars are in the same league as the 1Es. For now, there is a eBay seller from Taiwan that sells James 6123HSs every now and then. They usually go for $195 - $230 + shipping. Don't forget about the Electra-print irons (www.electra-print.com). They are one above either the Trascendars or 1Es.

[EWBrown]

I built an EL34 SET (triode mode) amp using the 3K primary One Electrons several years ago. Sounds great, even got compliments at the NNETG ' fest over at Gary Kaufman's place back in June 2005.

The circuit was a basic "ripoff" of Claudio Bonavolta's "EL34SE #3" circuit, but with SS rectification rather than tube rect. Pretty much basic SET and VA circuitry, no fancy tricks or techniques...

As I didn't fully grasp the finer subtleties of single point / star grounding, it has a wee bit of background hum, but only audible with very high efficiengty speakers during quiet passages or between tracks.

I'd rate them a "Five THumbs Up"...

IIRC, the 1Es come with 1.6K, 3K and 4.8K primaries, no UL taps, and they also have two different plate load chokes, and big honkin' hefty power "universal" transformers. AFAIK, the only seller for 1E is AES www.tubesandmore.com

/ed B

[Ty_Bower]

So where do we get our James outputs now?

Rumor has it these guys are selling them...

http://tctubes.com/james-transformers.aspx

[TomMcNally]

Thanks Ty!

I just ordered a pair of 6113HS ... we'll see how it goes.

[Shannon Parks]

Awesome!!!

Tom - how many GSG boards ya want me to send you?

[WA4SWJ]

Shannon,

I'm going to need to buy another one too. I have some Transcendar units I need to try out!

Hope all is well.

[TomMcNally]

Hey Shannon !

Yeah it's amp building season! A g*s*g would be fun -
I have tubes.

[SDS-PAGE]

Oh, crap...that supplier will have no James' left in no time. Better get my share before I loose my chance. BTW, the price on the 6123HS' seems a bit high. I know I can get a pair shipped via EMS express mail from Taiwan for $270/pr. Can't complain about the little ones tho. Min

[Ty_Bower]

So, I'm still at a loss as to which output transformers I should get for a G*S*G. I made a little table of the ones I've considered:

Edcor GXSE10-* (1.75 lbs) $40 + ?
Transcendar 5K:8 (4 lbs) $115 + $12.35
James JS-6113HS (2.9 lbs) $149 + $14.65
Softone RW-20 (3.3 lbs) $196 + $31
Magnequest RH60 (? lbs) $198 + ?

Prices are per pair, shipping noted when I could find it. Weights are per transformer. I'm wondering why the specs on the James recommend using only the 3.5K tap for 2A3 valves - is the core too close to saturation if you use the whole thing? Obviously the Edcor are the smallest and cheapest of the bunch, but I don't really have a good feel for where the rest of them fall. Has anyone been able to compare these guys? Did I miss any other significant offerings?

[SDS-PAGE]

Has anyone been able to compare these guys? Did I miss any other significant offerings?

You left out Hashimotos and Hammonds (125ESEs). Hashimotos make 7W SE irons with a 3.5k primary tap for $360+S&H. This is a good alternative if you find their 20W too expensive ($600 shipped). The 125ESEs are around 40 bucks each. Don't know much about the Silk OPTs, but I heard good things about them.

I didn't compare these in a GSG amp, but I did in a 300B circuit. My favorite so far are Sophia Electric's 30W WE-core OPTs and thos pricey Hashimotos.

Don't forget about the Silk S-325 OPTs (http://www.sacthailand.com/Transformer_Output.html). They are supposedly very nice performers.

Other than these, there are always ones by Tango, Tamura, Audio Note, and Lundahl. You occassionally find some cool UTCs on eBay too.

Min

[WA4SWJ]

Don't forget Electra-Print in Las Vegas. I just bought some transformers for a 300B I'm planing from Jack. They are very beefy and are very nicely constructed. I'll post pictures later this evening I hope.

[Ty_Bower]

How about stuff that's less than $250 a pair, shipped?

[swelebny]

I've been thrilled with the Transcendars in my amp for well over a year now. The GSG with Transcendars has been my favorite amp, which is now going to a friend. I haven't heard the James units, so can't compare, but was always very impressed with what I have. I felt the quality I received for the price is hard to beat. I'd be eager to hear what others thought who can compare the two.

Steven