CoolCat
Well-known member
I notice some get serious about transformers.
Others assume quickly whats "cheap" yet, others who upgrade post "honestly I cant hear a difference".....(I fall into the latter somewhat.)
This article piece states:
How does core composition affect the sound?
Different materials have different abilities to contain magnetic flux—this is called “permeability.” Core materials with higher permeability create higher primary inductance, and therefore better low-end response. However, more permeable core materials will also saturate faster than less permeable ones. Ah, nature, where everything's a tradeoff!
The most common core materials for audio transformers are M6 steel (steel with a bit of silicon) and nickel/iron alloys. Cores with high nickel content are more permeable and more expensive, with less hysteresis than steel cores.
In general, steel will have higher distortion at normal signal levels due to hysteresis, while nickel will have higher distortion at higher levels, due to saturation. For this reason, you'll often find high-nickel cores in high-quality transformers designed for lower signal levels, and steel cores in cheaper transformers or those designed for high signal levels.
I got a new preamp...it has 3qty transformers, from what Ive read its the same china factory making GAP, PELUSO and others TNC, Chameleon Labs and who knows who else has their stuff built in China. Seeing pictures of the factorys the place is high tech, immaculately clean and far above most old factories with magic dust. As a engineer type I get the physics of saturation and transformers and it can effect sound. The application and goal of design is a huge part...ok...
My question is more in line with different brands of Transformers. Why one might be magic and others are garbage?
Can a person really hear if the transformer is more steel or nickel or the % of mix?
To date I havent been able to hear a difference. Maybe I dont squint my ears enough to hear it?
Others assume quickly whats "cheap" yet, others who upgrade post "honestly I cant hear a difference".....(I fall into the latter somewhat.)
This article piece states:
How does core composition affect the sound?
Different materials have different abilities to contain magnetic flux—this is called “permeability.” Core materials with higher permeability create higher primary inductance, and therefore better low-end response. However, more permeable core materials will also saturate faster than less permeable ones. Ah, nature, where everything's a tradeoff!
The most common core materials for audio transformers are M6 steel (steel with a bit of silicon) and nickel/iron alloys. Cores with high nickel content are more permeable and more expensive, with less hysteresis than steel cores.
In general, steel will have higher distortion at normal signal levels due to hysteresis, while nickel will have higher distortion at higher levels, due to saturation. For this reason, you'll often find high-nickel cores in high-quality transformers designed for lower signal levels, and steel cores in cheaper transformers or those designed for high signal levels.
I got a new preamp...it has 3qty transformers, from what Ive read its the same china factory making GAP, PELUSO and others TNC, Chameleon Labs and who knows who else has their stuff built in China. Seeing pictures of the factorys the place is high tech, immaculately clean and far above most old factories with magic dust. As a engineer type I get the physics of saturation and transformers and it can effect sound. The application and goal of design is a huge part...ok...
My question is more in line with different brands of Transformers. Why one might be magic and others are garbage?
Can a person really hear if the transformer is more steel or nickel or the % of mix?
To date I havent been able to hear a difference. Maybe I dont squint my ears enough to hear it?