Anyone tried both a classictone and Marstran OT in same amp?

[iknowjohnny]

Has anyone compared a MC classictone OT to a Marstrans in a marshall or clone, and if so how would you describe the difference and which did u prefer?

[Reeltarded]

Yes, they both work, as do originals, Merren, MM..

Can you hear a difference? Yes! With every single example it's never like the last. Same thing but different.

There is no way to answer this kindly to the manufacturer.

[M Fowler]

If you can hear a difference is that using NOS mustard caps and NOS resistors for an exact Marshall clone.

Or something like I would throw together with Xicon film caps and Chinese CF resistors?

What about Mercury Magnetic transformers?

I only use MC and Heyboer for cost reasons but if money was not an issue for a customer I wouldn't mind building a more accurate clone with pink wire and all.

[iknowjohnny]

Well, i just thought there might be a reason people use them. (marstran) I have 3 different OT's i've tried in mine and they all sound different, tho i tend to prefer the classictone. The heyboer sounds maybe slightly better than the others in what seems like harmonic content, but it's also thin sounding to the point i prefer the CT. So I do hear obvious differences and thought maybe the marstran had some goodness that makes people pay almost double for them.

[wyatt]

This is a really long post that completely fails to answer your question, I haven't tried either.

Well, i just thought there might be a reason people use them. (marstran) I have 3 different OT's i've tried in mine and they all sound different, tho i tend to prefer the classictone. The heyboer sounds maybe slightly better than the others in what seems like harmonic content, but it's also thin sounding to the point i prefer the CT. So I do hear obvious differences and thought maybe the marstran had some goodness that makes people pay almost double for them.

"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."

Taste in tone and music are subjective. Be happy with what you like and not some sort of consensus. If you've had three OT's to try, that's a fair sample number to pick the one you like. Trust me...they all actually sound more similar than you perceive. Our minds store information in shorthand, so during an A-B test, it will identify and enhance the few differences instead of the several similarities. Our mind is also very accommodating, perfectly willing to rearrange data inaccurately for us to meet our expectations, if we expect something to sound brighter or warmer or harsher or whatever, our brain can insert false information to make it so.

I often find Mercury Magnetics OT's to be brighter, tighter and more hi-fi. I can find that fatiguing and "harsh." Others swear by their articulate detail (and it may cut better in a mix). I tend to prefer Heyboers, I've heard the stock Heyboers sold through mojo and the Heyboer-made Metro and prefer them to the MM. Haven't tried a Classictone OT or Marstran (also made by Heyboer) or Merren yet. I'm sure they are all fine, if not great, and I would use any (including MM) if it were given to me (and have, my 5E3 uses a MM OT I was given). But since I usually have to buy, I factor previous experience and cost. For two upcoming projects I'm staying Heyboer, but debating whether its Metro or Marstran, Classictone for the PT.

Aside maybe from some manufacturers, I don't know many people who get to try them all, most of us buy on previous experience, price, reputation or marketing. I believe Marstrans success is based on reputation; they have the reputation of a solid, reliable product (based on historic examples) and customer service; Brian Wallace is also a wonderful ambassador for his own company with all the help he gives on the various forums.