heyboer vs. Pacific

[Gibsonman63]

I am ordering parts for my upcoming Trainwreck Express build. Can anyone tell me difference (sonically) between the Heyboer and Pacific transformers?

[selloutrr]

not really a tonal reply, but kf chose to use the pacific in the tw after the stancor supply ran dry. from my understanding the heybaer was never used in an original tw. only that he had place an order with the company for a custom ot, now speculated to be used in a stereo amplifier that never came to light.

personally i feel a tw needs a stancor then a pacific.
hope it helps, or at least gets other to chime in.

[JamesHealey]

I can't speak for the new 'Vintage Spec' Heyboer but I've tried the old 'Dual Primary' OT and the Pacific and I much prefer the Pacific OT it's much smoother, more open and less harsh.

[paulster]

I've said this before but I've gone from the old Heyboer to both the Pacific and the new Heyboer in two builds (and sold the old ones to James!), and been similarly impressed with both of the transformers in exactly the way James described. I've not been able to compare the new Heyboer to the Pacific side-by-side though.

Given that it's easy to get the Pacifics now whereas it wasn't when I first got mine, I'd probably go that route.

I do like the Heyboer PT a lot though.

[Gibsonman63]

Ok gents, I'll take your word for it and order the Pacific. Hopefully, I will be drilling holes in a chassis by next week.

Thanks for the help.

[Jackie Treehorn]

What is the story on the Pacific output transformer? The original part was 11415, but it looks like the transformer for sale is a 25525.

[JamesHealey]

Same ot just different numbers to stop fake tw being made i guess..

[selloutrr]

What is the contact info for pacific transformers? I'll call and ask

[gearhead]

Do a search on those two numbers; this has been posted before but honestly can't remember the outcome. When he was alive, and for a while after, Pacific wouldn't sell from Kenny's line card.

[RJ Guitars]

As best as I can understand things, Pacific honored Ken Fischer and didn't distribute this tranny part number while he was alive. I don't have access to any records or special info on this but talking with them they simply did this out of decency and were not under any contract agreement. In reality, this is a copy of the old Stancor A-3801 all the way down to the 15 ohm (rather than 16 ohm) secondary. Also, there are no 500v taps on them. Apparently the Stancor specs were not protected either and K&M or anybody else could have asked for the same specs and had them wound the same as Ken Fischer did.

The K&M part number has been verified to be exactly the same transformer - I have that in a personal note from the president of Pacific.

The later "vintage" transformers from Heyboer are supposed to also be a smoother transformer than the old dual primary that were used in so many Wreck clones. All the reports on the "vintage" trannies sound very similar to those given for the Pacifics. I have yet to compare or find any Head to Head data though.

It's probably worth a mention that the difference in the old dual primary Heyboers, the later "vintage" Heyboers, and those built using the Pacific transformers, might come down to a taste preference. There were so many amps built with the old dual primary and top dogs on this forum often declared them to be excellent. While it's possible these later trannies raise the bar a bit from that previous excellent standard, I'll wager that it's possible some of those old school amps sound better than excellent to some ears.

As far as Trainwreck using Heyboers - doesn't seem like there is much evidence to support this. However, there were some interactions between Heyboer and Ken Fischer but the history isn't real clear. I did have them wind some output trannies for me using a line card that supposedly had both Phil Heyboer's dads and Ken Fischer's names on it. They are to this day the best sounding Rocket transformers that I've ever heard... By the way, wasn't the Stancor A-3801 considered to be a HiFi transformer?

rj

[funkmeblue]

'91 rocket, Dinah had a heyboer power transformer

[selloutrr]

that would make sense since the power transformers were never a set brand just what ever supplied the correct voltages.

[Richie]

By the way, wasn't the Stancor A-3801 considered to be a HiFi transformer?

No, not really hi-fi listed. I have some NOS stancor H-fis i have tried,and they also sound very good. But as some have mentioned,some of the Wrecks used other transformers besides pacific or heyboer.