Re: Why don't guitar amps use Toroidal Transformers

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5/3/2003 7:24 PM

LFOscalator

Re: Why don't guitar amps use Toroidal Transformers Toriodal Power Transformers are not widely used because: They are expensive.     There are some minor differences compared to conventional xfmrs, but for power as oppossed to audio output, these differences are negligable. These differences include differing saturation characteristics versus using laminations.     The primary benefit of toriodal xfmrs are:     1. Size: they tend to be smaller for a given power level.     2. They are self sheilding, meaning that their magnetic field is contained within the powdered iron core of the toroid and have minimal flux lines flowing outside the toriod itself. For that reason, they provide for quiter operation because they do not induce AC voltages into surrounding wiring.     In sum, toriodal power transformers are superior in most respects to conventional transformers.       LFO

 

5/4/2003 2:36 PM

KB

quote: "1. Size: they tend to be smaller for a given power level."     Hmmm that's not true. Actually they are larger for a given power. My Plitron is larger in diameter and circumference than two EI's and almost as tall. It is potted but that is only an 1/8 of an inch. Ask a transformer shop to make you a 15 henry toroidal choke and when they tell you how big it will be and how much it will weigh you'll change your mind.     quote: "In sum, toriodal power transformers are superior in most respects to conventional transformers."     Yeah you have one key word there and that's "most respects", as they are only as good as their made. The quality of wire and permeability of the core and the knowledge of the builder say alot about Toroids and I've seen some really crappy ones. I will say that Plitron and Menno's are among the very best and the price reflects it.,     KB

 

5/4/2003 12:19 PM
Gregg	Hi,     In all my guitar/hifi amps I use only toroid PT.   Most of the time the core used in toroids is not ferite. It's made from rolled lamination steel and then "baked" in a special vacuum oven.     Enjoy!

 

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