Buying power transformers

[AmberB]

Simple question, what options are there for buying a power transformer?
Tubes and More has kind of limited options, it's mostly just Hammond transformers.

[Stuff4bikes]

When I buy new power transformers, i generally buy from AES

[thetragichero]

haven't tried their power transformers, but i liked the output transformer i got from musical power supplies and they're quite reasonably priced

without knowing what you're looking for it's hard for folks to provide more specific suggestions

[shooter]

Edcor or Hammond

[acheld]

Best bet is Hammond purchased through https://www.hawkusa.com

Hawk has better inventory, generally great prices, and once they ship, it is fast.   Kip Poncher (their CEO) seems like a decent guy, and is available to discuss issues as they arise.

I love Edcor transformers, but it seems to take forever and a day to get them -- though admittedly it's been a couple of years now since I ordered from them.  If they have improved -- I'd like to know!

[shooter]

 
It's an American Union shop, they work at their pace NOT the customers desires
that's why 80% of my PT/OT's came from them 

[bmccowan]

I have used both PTs and OTs from Musical Power Supplies - good results. They are responsive and are honest about supply chain issues. I also like scrounging up iron from old PAs and organs - but apparently so do a lot of others and the prices have been creeping up. I am surprised that Magnetic Components did not try to sell the tooling and designs for their ClassicTone series before closing shop. Maybe they did and there were no buyers Although their documentation was sometimes confusing/inaccurate I liked their Valco style PTs as the HT voltage was in a range below the typical Fender/Marshall replacement trannies.

[DuaneOh]

Also check out:
Mojotone carries Herboer transformers.
Amp Parts Direct carries Mercury Magnetics and Herboer transformers.

[PRR]

> Herboer transformers

HeYboer.

[mresistor]

I have used both PTs and OTs from Musical Power Supplies - good results. They are responsive and are honest about supply chain issues. I also like scrounging up iron from old PAs and organs - but apparently so do a lot of others and the prices have been creeping up. I am surprised that Magnetic Components did not try to sell the tooling and designs for their ClassicTone series before closing shop. Maybe they did and there were no buyers Although their documentation was sometimes confusing/inaccurate I liked their Valco style PTs as the HT voltage was in a range below the typical Fender/Marshall replacement trannies.

What I heard was Heyboer bought most of Magnetic Components tooling materials patents etc.. 

[bmccowan]

What I heard was Heyboer bought most of Magnetic Components tooling materials patents etc..

Thanks - I hope so. I hate to see our options disappear. 
Edit - I just did a search and information is conflicting. Cannot be sure what to believe.

[ok_state_blues]

Try antek. I have had really good luck with their donuts. The footprint is bigger but the power is solid

[AmberB]

Thanks for all the replies!
I'm not looking for a specific PT right now, I'm just looking for more options than just Hammond.  I know there used to be more manufacturers out there, but it seems like a lot of them are no longer making transformers...
I'll check out the suggestions and see what I come up with.

[mwelch55]

I like Hammond Power Transformers.  I have bought Hammond from AES and Hawk.  Never been disappointed.  They are a good price too.

Mike

[smackoj]

I am so disappointed that Mag Comp closed their doors. I thought their Classic Tone trannies were excellent and about half the price of other brands. Kind of like the loss of an old friend. If I built amps for a living I would be at a loss without them. Maybe the one and only reason I would have traveled to Chicago (bang bang you're dead) would have been to tour their shop while they were still winding transformers.


I know several boutique amp builders use Heyboer. Some familiar names say they have their own "specially" wound transformers re-badged from Heyboer but that may be sales hype?


I found out the hard way that in the early years of the Egnater, made in China amps, they had a long stretch, perhaps one or two yrs, when their Chinese power transformers were better suited as Screaming Kitty Chasers for July 4th.


I know from watching and listening that Hammond has a rock solid reputation.


I do not know who Fender and Marshall source from? They may even make their own just to curb supply shortages and improve quality control.


I scoped out Mercury Mag  apprx 4 yrs ago, bought one of their small single ended Champ style OTs, was not impressed for the high price and never went back.


It appears that Antek is making a well-funded play for transformer market share. I know they import (China I believe) and they offer a wide variety of power transformers. I do not know if they sell OTs? I bought a PT from them recently. It was half the price of other current products but I found out afterwards (my own fault) it made the correct voltages but was too weak to power my amp. I thought the workmanship, packaging and lack of hookup diagram was an indication that I wouldn't use one for a serious new amp build.

[dwinstonwood]

I like Hammond Power Transformers.  I have bought Hammond from AES and Hawk.  Never been disappointed.  They are a good price too.

Mike

Same here. I sometimes wonder if there are people out there on other forums who trash Hammond's products, because I see a lot of folks viewing them as the last alternative. They're very well built, available in just about any config you could want, and the prices are great - especially from Hawk. If I was seriously into hifi I might spend more for boutique output transformers, but even there Edcor would do fine for me (in fact, I'm using Edcors in my Tubelab stereo amp).

[ok_state_blues]

I am so disappointed that Mag Comp closed their doors. I thought their Classic Tone trannies were excellent and about half the price of other brands. Kind of like the loss of an old friend. If I built amps for a living I would be at a loss without them. Maybe the one and only reason I would have traveled to Chicago (bang bang you're dead) would have been to tour their shop while they were still winding transformers.


I know several boutique amp builders use Heyboer. Some familiar names say they have their own "specially" wound transformers re-badged from Heyboer but that may be sales hype?


I found out the hard way that in the early years of the Egnater, made in China amps, they had a long stretch, perhaps one or two yrs, when their Chinese power transformers were better suited as Screaming Kitty Chasers for July 4th.


I know from watching and listening that Hammond has a rock solid reputation.


I do not know who Fender and Marshall source from? They may even make their own just to curb supply shortages and improve quality control.


I scoped out Mercury Mag  apprx 4 yrs ago, bought one of their small single ended Champ style OTs, was not impressed for the high price and never went back.


It appears that Antek is making a well-funded play for transformer market share. I know they import (China I believe) and they offer a wide variety of power transformers. I do not know if they sell OTs? I bought a PT from them recently. It was half the price of other current products but I found out afterwards (my own fault) it made the correct voltages but was too weak to power my amp. I thought the workmanship, packaging and lack of hookup diagram was an indication that I wouldn't use one for a serious new amp build.

They offer opt, PT, and chokes but I only have experience with the PTs. I have had good luck with a se Plexi build and GA-5 build with the appropriate PT. The wiring is confusing, but for the price they are hard to beat. Check out sewatt.com for a more in depth context for several of their uses.

[Jonas]

my recent experience with Edcor was excellent - Brian (Weston) at Edcor helped me with a custom design power transformer.  I also ordered a couple output transformers and received all 4 transformers in 2 weeks from date of order.

They sound fantastic!!

[mresistor]

Isn't Fender still using Woodward-Schumacher transformers?  Wonder if they are still manufacturing in USA.

[AmberB]

My only problem with Hammond transformers is that they cost a lot.  There used to be less expensive alternatives to Hammond, but I guess most of them are gone now.
The AnTek transformers look like they would be pretty good.  If their current ratings are are close to correct, there is a fair amount of choices available.  I'm looking at a TP from them that has 2 high voltage windings rated at 150 volts at .33 amps each, and 2 heater windings that are rated at 3 amps each.  I plan to tie the 2 high voltage windings in series for 300 volts.  That will serve the purpose that I want it for.  At 42 dollars plus shipping, I think that's pretty good.  The toroid should fit on my chassis without a problem.
The guy who sells the MPS transformers on ebay only has 1 PT for sale right now, and it's designed for really small power amps, like 2 watt.  He has a decent selection of OTs for sale, but I'm not looking for one of those right now.

[ok_state_blues]

Just for future reference for those interested in the donuts. Info gathered from sewatt.com