Ceriatone Transformers vs...

[skoora]

Who here has a Ceriatone and has heard it with their transformers vs. a U.S. made repro like from eg. Merren etc? Just different flavors but both good? Did one stand out from the other? Can't find a decent (condition or price) early 80's 2203 so thinking about just getting a Ceriatone and obviously the Transformers add quite bit to shipping but are also the real heart of the amp. Plus I'm not sure I could be bothered wiring in repro's even though I've done it before. Any opinions from experience appreciated.

 

[stephen sawall]

Interested also ....

 

[briango2000]

I have one here and I think it sounds really good. I have bought kits for guys minus transformers and then just added them after the fact too. Since you're local you can come by and listen for yourself. I have a bunch of amps with different transformers you can compare.

Brian

 

[Axe-Man]

Who here has a Ceriatone and has heard it with their transformers vs. a U.S. made repro like from eg. Merren etc? Just different flavors but both good? Did one stand out from the other? Can't find a decent (condition or price) early 80's 2203 so thinking about just getting a Ceriatone and obviously the Transformers add quite bit to shipping but are also the real heart of the amp. Plus I'm not sure I could be bothered wiring in repro's even though I've done it before. Any opinions from experience appreciated.

I have no idea about aftermarket transformers but I believe Nik spec's his transformers to his amps and they are still hand wound custom units.

They are heavy as crap in my Yeti!

Everyone I've personally talked to that has owned a Ceriatone has complimented their tone to a high degree.

I am more than happy with the stock iron and would in no way make any changes to the amp as it's absolutely killer.

For likely half again (or more) than the price I paid for the amp I'd prob get a 5% better sound.

I played through a part handwired SLP reissue with a Drake and a HUGE Marstran OT and the Yeti sounded much nicer. That was not a crap SLP either as it killed the JVM410H that I tried the day before.

 

[skoora]

Who here has a Ceriatone and has heard it with their transformers vs. a U.S. made repro like from eg. Merren etc? Just different flavors but both good? Did one stand out from the other? Can't find a decent (condition or price) early 80's 2203 so thinking about just getting a Ceriatone and obviously the Transformers add quite bit to shipping but are also the real heart of the amp. Plus I'm not sure I could be bothered wiring in repro's even though I've done it before. Any opinions from experience appreciated.

I have no idea about aftermarket transformers but I believe Nik spec's his transformers to his amps and they are still hand wound custom units.

They are heavy as crap in my Yeti!

Everyone I've personally talked to that has owned a Ceriatone has complimented their tone to a high degree.

I am more than happy with the stock iron and would in no way make any changes to the amp as it's absolutely killer.

For likely half again (or more) than the price I paid for the amp I'd prob get a 5% better sound.

I played through a part handwired SLP reissue with a Drake and a HUGE Marstran OT and the Yeti sounded much nicer. That was not a crap SLP either as it killed the JVM410H that I tried the day before.

Thanks.

 

[Drkorey]

Fortin thought the Ceriatone he modded for me had good quality tformers. As stated above, and I've heard before, you might get a 5% better quality of sound out of them with a change

 

[O'Rourke]

I thought the Magnetic Components OT made a noticeable improvement on my 50 watter. They're relatively cheap too as far as trannies go, around 60 bucks.

 

[skoora]

I thought the Magnetic Components OT made a noticeable improvement on my 50 watter. They're relatively cheap too as far as trannies go, around 60 bucks.

What 50 watt model did you get? 1987 or 2204? What did you feel improved?

 

[FourT6and2]

My Ceriatone sounds awesome to me. No complaints.

Not exactly Apples to Apples. But it sounds just as good, if not better, than my Metro (with Mercury Magnetics).

 

[joepete77]

I remember at a shootout they did a blind test with various 18watters and I believe the ceriatones won that day and many were surprised. I think that they sound nice but I dont think that they will last as long or are as reliable as a marstran or mercury. Now that they have been around a bit I have heard of some that have had to be replaced.

 

[O'Rourke]

I thought the Magnetic Components OT made a noticeable improvement on my 50 watter. They're relatively cheap too as far as trannies go, around 60 bucks.

What 50 watt model did you get? 1987 or 2204? What did you feel improved?

1987 with a PPIMV. More clarity, high end sounded sweeter and less fizzy and the amp just sounded more lively for lack of a better word. It was worth the time and money to me to swap it out, maybe an hour's work.

Definitely not knocking Ceriatone or anything though, Nik's builds are super clean and he's great to deal with as well.

 

[skoora]

I have one here and I think it sounds really good. I have bought kits for guys minus transformers and then just added them after the fact too. Since you're local you can come by and listen for yourself. I have a bunch of amps with different transformers you can compare.

Brian

Appreciate it. Unfortunately I'm not that local. It'd be a 3 hour + drive for me and what I would I would spend on gas would buy me a transformer How far out of Portland are you? I've been wanting to get down to Portland for a while but between time and gas money for my truck I've been putting it off.

 

[briango2000]

I'm in Salem...45 minutes south of PDX. I was thinking you were another member. If you ever make it down this way... just get a hold of me.