2004 SLO w/Deyoung Transformers versus New Bad SLO vid.

[scottosan]

Interesting question: 2 transformers wound to similar spec by the same company on different days by different persons may sound a little different, too? Now we get into production territory...

How many amps have you built?

2 transformers made using the same material a wind process should have negligible sound difference.

Do you think (2) 15k pickups from 2 makers sound the same? Similar to pickups, output transformer operate under the same inductive principles as pickups except the transformer is 2 or inductors used to change the impedance. The core material, wire tension and coil pattern affects the frequency characteristics. The difference in frequency response is measurable.

 

[RedPlated]

How many amps have you built?

2 transformers made using the same material a wind process should have negligible sound difference.

Do you think (2) 15k pickups from 2 makers sound the same? Similar to pickups, output transformer operate under the same inductive principles as pickups except the transformer is 2 or inductors used to change the impedance. The core material, wire tension and coil pattern affects the frequency characteristics. The difference in frequency response is measurable.

I agree with this. I use Heyboers and literally order 35 sets at a time. They are very consistent sounding from amp to amp on new builds. I don't notice any character change between sets.

Different manufacturer transformers, however, can have significant affects on tone. I mean night and day. Throw a Mercury OT in a recto. Doesn't even sound like the same amp anymore.

 

[FourT6and2]

I agree with this. I use Heyboers and literally order 35 sets at a time. They are very consistent sounding from amp to amp on new builds. I don't notice any character change between sets.

Different manufacturer transformers, however, can have significant affects on tone. I mean night and day. Throw a Mercury OT in a recto. Doesn't even sound like the same amp anymore.

While I agree with this, here's an interesting anecdote:

A buddy of mine who tours regularly had the OT in his main amp go out recently. A few days before his next show. As a temporary band-aid fix, he had it replaced with some random project OT his tech had laying around. Just to get him through the show until an OEM replacement arrived. He said, while there was a subtle difference, once he was one stage with the band, playing to a full house... he didn't really notice at all.

I've seen them live before and I was there for this particular show as well and I couldn't hear a bit of difference as a member of the audience.

We love nitpicking all these subtleties. And as someone who also builds/mods amps, I do it to and I understand the desire. But sometimes it's healthy to step back and admit all these "night and day" differences aren't actually that drastic unless you're scrutinizing the gear under a microscope.

 

[RedPlated]

While I agree with this, here's an interesting anecdote:

A buddy of mine who tours regularly had the OT in his main amp go out recently. A few days before his next show. As a temporary band-aid fix, he had it replaced with some random project OT his tech had laying around. Just to get him through the show until an OEM replacement arrived. He said, while there was a subtle difference, once he was one stage with the band, playing to a full house... he didn't really notice at all.

I've seen them live before and I was there for this particular show as well and I couldn't hear a bit of difference as a member of the audience.

We love nitpicking all these subtleties. And as someone who also builds/mods amps, I do it to and I understand the desire. But sometimes it's healthy to step back and admit all these "night and day" differences aren't actually that drastic.

A Mercury OT swap is though. It’s a major sound and feel difference.

They are designed for this purpose. To make a stock recto sound “better.” It’s different, that’s for sure. But “better” is subjective.