Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: bakerlite on February 14, 2011, 05:33:18 pm

Title: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: bakerlite on February 14, 2011, 05:33:18 pm: well they call it the fanta:
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?products_id=666 (http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?products_id=666)

is this anything special or a common circuit used for balanced line outs already in existence?

I could really do with a few of these with spade terminals so that i could use them with my different amps at gigs -
does anyone know if a schematic for a similar device exists?

thanks
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: Tone Junkie on February 14, 2011, 06:39:24 pm: Looks cool advertising sounds good but no reviews yet Ive never seen one but could use one often.
Bill
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: jojokeo on February 14, 2011, 09:06:29 pm: Quote from: bakerlite on February 14, 2011, 05:33:18 pm
well they call it the fanta:
does anyone know if a schematic for a similar device exists?

thanks

Isn't that a Mexican soda? :laugh:
Thier description sounds like some of the long-named catergories from the Grammy's last night. From David Letterman's top ten, No. 6: "The new category: best male or female traditional R&B urban alternative non classic latin performance by a duo or group with vocals."

On a serious note about TAD - not a big fan of their tubes - flat, dull & lifeless best describes them. Kinda like using flat wound strings if you've ever played them?
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: FYL on February 15, 2011, 06:19:25 am: Quote
is this anything special or a common circuit used for balanced line outs already in existence?

The TAD Fanta is a passive cab simulator with a transformer-coupled output.

Quote
does anyone know if a schematic for a similar device exists?

Check for instance page 4 of the H&K Red Box Pro manual.

http://www.hexeguitar.com/schem/Redbpro.pdf
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: stingray_65 on February 15, 2011, 07:04:38 am: check out Weber's transformers

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/balun.jpg

$2 for the transformer, I've used these a few times with good results.

I've found them to be just a bit bassy, but you can tweak the tone on the PA or mixer board.

Ray
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: Boots Deville on February 15, 2011, 07:53:43 am: Hey Ray, did you notice the note on that spec sheet you linked to about paralleling R1 with a cap to increase highs? If you haven't tried it, that may help the "bassy" issue.

There is one place I play where they want the volume *really* low. :rolleyes: I've been forced to use my H&K RedBox which is another cab simulator that's been around a long time. I run a dummy load on the amp and hear my guitar thru a monitor in front of me. I definitely don't get that "Arena-Rock" feeling, but it serves the purpose. :smiley:
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: jojokeo on February 15, 2011, 11:53:08 am: Quote from: Boots Deville on February 15, 2011, 07:53:43 am
Hey Ray, did you notice the note on that spec sheet you linked to about paralleling R1 with a cap to increase highs? If you haven't tried it, that may help the "bassy" issue.

Good comment on the bypass cap and if that was used to give back high end, a series resistor or high pass resistor/cap filter btwn the 1k pot/voltage divider and x-frmr would help to actually reduce the bassiness rather than the "apparent bassiness" of the signal.
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: stingray_65 on February 15, 2011, 11:58:37 am: I may have miss spoke when I said "Bassy"

How about "not bright"

Funny thing is that bright cap is a revision, I never noticed much of a tonal change until I saw that revision.

Power of suggestion anyone?

I've shied away from the cap because I was unsure of how it may react with different amps and levels

But hearing now discussed in the open, maybe a "tone knob" would be in order.
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: phsyconoodler on February 15, 2011, 01:15:14 pm: Quote:"On a serious note about TAD - not a big fan of their tubes - flat, dull & lifeless best describes them. Kinda like using flat wound strings if you've ever played them?"

Never had that issue.I use the short bottle 6L6GC with great tones.Never tried the 12AX7's or EL84's or EL34's though.
What do you use that's so much better sounding?

I have a friend that has one of those Fanta's.I'll ask him what he thinks about it.Maybe we can reverse engineer it?
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: FYL on February 15, 2011, 02:19:47 pm: Quote
Never had that issue.I use the short bottle 6L6GC with great tones.

TAD 6L6s and 6V6s are some of the best when it comes to current production. Some of their small signal tubes are also excellent.
Title: Re: low impedance, balanced symmetric, transformer coupled output
Post by: jojokeo on February 15, 2011, 04:18:22 pm: Quote from: phsyconoodler on February 15, 2011, 01:15:14 pm
Quote:"On a serious note about TAD - not a big fan of their tubes - flat, dull & lifeless best describes them. Kinda like using flat wound strings if you've ever played them?"

Never had that issue.I use the short bottle 6L6GC with great tones.Never tried the 12AX7's or EL84's or EL34's though.
What do you use that's so much better sounding?

It's been about 2 years now but at that time I used some 12ax7s & 6v6s - to me, the JJ's and Tung-Sols were better for newer production stuff for both and even new EH6v6s sounded better. I got a brand new matched set of TAD 6v6-str and tested them to be a large disparity from each other. I was going to return them to AES but just threw them in seperate Champ-type amps instead where it wasn't really a big deal. I remember being soured on them ever since. The flat, dull & low gain comment was more from thier 12ax7s. I don't recall if they were modeled from Sovtek or Chinese or something else?