fair enough-- i appreciate the input either way. i've actually heard as much and am still mulling this over-- there's always other gear!c7sus said:Don't take my word for it!
coolwhip said:That's like asking which is more important - the car's engine or the wheels?
It depends on many variables but assuming the same materials for both then it would depend on the step up or step down ratio.More often than not , the input transformer has a higher step ratio than an output transformer. Sometimes 600:70,000 is encountered in some valve amps yet output transformers can be wound to be simply 'isolation ' transformers whose impedance would be 1:1 or 600 ohm : 600 ohm . These 'isolation' transformers would yeild much less color than one of two extreme impedances such as an input transformer.can any of the smart people here tell me what's more important to the sound of a signal that passes through the preamp-- the input transformer or the output transformer?
coolwhip said:That's like asking which is more important - the car's engine or the wheels?
c7sus said:Well, if the pre has both it would be good for the signal to go through both of them.
Otherwise you have no output.
drpat said:????
Now, to answer the original question, when used in a micpre, the input transformer is doing a helluva lot more work than the output transformer, and, in my experience has made the biggest difference when experimenting. While trying out different transformers, swap out one at a time, then live with it for a couple of weeks, in a heavy tracking environment. Over time, you'll either start to use it more, or use it less.