b0b0
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Posts: 39 
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Post by b0b0 on Aug 27, 2020 13:35:27 GMT -6
Hey y'all.
I am trying to source some vintage UTC transformers for a Tubetronix TM2A (a 2 channel LA2A).
Any suggestions on where to look?
eBay and Reverb of course...but any other suggestions?
Cheers!
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Post by Michael O. on Aug 27, 2020 14:23:59 GMT -6
eBay is pretty much the place, these days. The independent parts suppliers generally no longer have the more desirable utc’s in stock (especially the pre-trw revisions), and when they do the prices are rarely competitive. They’re not rare by vintage transformer standards (especially if you go a10), so with patience you should be able to get a fairly good deal.
and good luck with the build! Should be a fairly straightforward one. I’m guessing you’re going carbon comp and ceramic caps as well, eh?
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Post by EmRR on Aug 27, 2020 14:29:04 GMT -6
Figure out what other gear used them that no one cares about. Or as much. Deals at this point are yardsales, estate sales, Hamfests. Really not even Hamfests, little of value gets to the yard there anymore.
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Post by gevermil on Aug 27, 2020 19:19:35 GMT -6
Hamfests are long ago shot
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Post by mhbunch on Aug 27, 2020 19:42:12 GMT -6
Either eBay for top dollar, once in a blue moon on groupdiy, or just get the sowter offerings. I built mine with sowter in/out and it sounds amazing - I doubt there would be a significant enough difference to justify the wait/cost of getting the real things.
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Post by EmRR on Aug 27, 2020 20:00:57 GMT -6
Find ssltech's ancient comparison of LA-2A transformer options on GroupDIY.
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Post by svart on Aug 28, 2020 7:07:59 GMT -6
I had original transformers in my LA2A clone, then compared with Edcor's higher end matching transformers. I didn't hear enough difference to warrant keeping the UTCs and sold them for a big profit.. I'd say they sound no different than the difference between other clones to the real thing.
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b0b0
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Posts: 39
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Post by b0b0 on Aug 28, 2020 11:07:48 GMT -6
Thanks all for the comments.
I should say; the unit is already built. They were a short run of dual LA2A style compressors that were built in the 90s. Legend has it that they were normally built using OEM la2a parts until the company got wise and made it more difficult to procure them in mass. It's serial 107, and was (as I've come to learn) a one off that was built using Hammond xformers instead of the UTC stuff, as the builder was experimenting at the time.
With that in mind, my project isn't a build persay, but trying to return it to standard spec that the others of its generation were built to. To that end if I'm bothering with the expense and hassle, I am going to hunt for the UTC stuff.
Thanks again for chiming in...and if anyone has any vintage ones kicking around, please DM me!
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Post by Michael O. on Aug 28, 2020 11:45:44 GMT -6
Thanks all for the comments. I should say; the unit is already built. They were a short run of dual LA2A style compressors that were built in the 90s. Legend has it that they were normally built using OEM la2a parts until the company got wise and made it more difficult to procure them in mass. It's serial 107, and was (as I've come to learn) a one off that was built using Hammond xformers instead of the UTC stuff, as the builder was experimenting at the time. With that in mind, my project isn't a build persay, but trying to return it to standard spec that the others of its generation were built to. To that end if I'm bothering with the expense and hassle, I am going to hunt for the UTC stuff. Thanks again for chiming in...and if anyone has any vintage ones kicking around, please DM me! That sounds pretty cool, was unfamiliar with that company’s LA2A clones. While I’m not in the camp that thinks the modern cinemags/edcor/etc. are quite as good as the old utc/triad/etc. transformers (not that the newly manufactured units are bad, but rather that the ones made in the golden age of transformers were exceptional), Hammond still manufacturers truly excellent transformers imo (the 800 series, at least). I can attest that the 804 has a different sound than the a20 in most applications for instance, but, like so much in the component world, the change would be more of a subjective sideways change than an objective upwards change, if that makes sense. |
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Post by EmRR on Aug 28, 2020 14:02:07 GMT -6
Hammond 800/850 are the closest thing to vintage still made, in terms of package, wire gauge (thinner), and inductance (higher). I wouldn’t feel inclined to change that, myself. I've actually dumped a lot of my UTC stock in favor of Hammond. Just as much about the valuation as anything.
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Post by Michael O. on Aug 28, 2020 15:34:57 GMT -6
Hammond 800/850 are the closest thing to vintage still made, in terms of package, wire gauge (thinner), and inductance (higher). I wouldn’t feel inclined to change that, myself. I've actually dumped a lot of my UTC stock in favor of Hammond. Just as much about the valuation as anything. Glad I’m not the only one on the Hammond train. My shelf of Hammonds continues to grow, while it’s been a while since I’ve found any good utc’s (other than O series, there’s still a huge amount of nearly-useless older gear from which to salvage those underrated little dudes). You of all people are probably hip to it, but Hammond’s 900 series (I believe long since discontinued) were some of the best audio transformers ever made imo, basically their LS series. |
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Post by EmRR on Aug 28, 2020 15:56:22 GMT -6
Hammond’s 900 series (I believe long since discontinued) I've seen those in a catalog, never once seen one available. The 40K:40K 800 series and 850(Q?) are among the best Hi-Z interstages I've ever tested. You can actually feed them a 40K source Z with open secondary and they beat spec. Don't need no stinkin' bridging Z drive. ....and we should shut up now..... |
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Post by Guitar on Sept 2, 2020 18:37:19 GMT -6
The hungry wolves can smell this thread, yeah it's a spicy taco. I have been buying my old Triads on ebay.
I did find one at a smaller shop, but I think it was also listed on ebay. Not a great price, either, but it got me started on my project.
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 4, 2020 3:20:03 GMT -6
Some on GS now and some Hammond on Ottawa Kijiji, not certain type.
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 4, 2020 3:55:39 GMT -6
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 4, 2020 4:04:03 GMT -6
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