Favorite new AC30 output transcormers.

[randalp3000]

Wondering what are some of the favorite AC30 output transformers are. I do prefer loud and clean not cranked and saturated.

One of my favorite new production amps is the Z Wreck which got me on the AC30 kick and caused me to purchase a bunch of other newer amps. I hate to say but most of the best sounding ones have Mercury OP's including my early JMJ. I have a build with a Hammond AC30V that sounds very good. I also did 2 builds with A-470's by Heyboer and not really digging them. My very least favorite is a somewhat well known AC copy that has a Heyboer AC30 op trans.

Thanks for your help,
rp

[chief mushroom cloud]

Well, you've ruled out all the other good options in preference to MM.....what makes the difference what anyone else thinks if MM sound best to your ears.......

Re: the A470s...did you wire them UL or non-UL? Just curious. Can you elaborate on how they sounded? (I've got an old, original A470 I wanted to try here).

If you want loud(er) and clean(er) in an AC30...change the 22k PI B+ dropping resistor to 10k or even 6.8k.....this raises the PI B+ and keeps it from clipping too soon......

Right now, I like the Heyboer...but there's a lot more to what the particular 'AC-30' sounds like than just the OT (keeping all things equal, for starters).
I have nothing against MM, other than the price/tone factor. If I could afford it, I'd go over and have Sergio wind me some custom Albion sets.

Have to add...Classictone is making pretty damn good trannies now...I've used their PTs and Chokes, and so far so good.

[Blackburn]

I'd just stick with the Mercs.

With the Mercury trannies it only takes time. What I mean is, once you buy x amount (I forget how many, after 10 I think), you get into a certain pricing bracket where the discount is quite significant. It climbs steadily with x purchases over a lifetime and not a single purchase so I really dig that about them, and they really do take care of their customers.

Once you get to that point they really aren't so dreadfully expensive anymore, but still more than Heyboer, Hammond, Magnetic Components, etc.

My .02c

[M Fowler]

I own one amp with MM transformers and I don't think I'm missing out on any tone by not using MM, just my 2 cents thanks jents.

[hitchcaster]

I'm on the same hunt as you. some other options are tds or any of the matchless trannies u can find out there. also Chris merren but he hasn't responded to email. pacific a470 rocket clone, or real a470. mm has all those options too, matchless, 3 vox's, and dynaco. so that's some more I can think of.

[randalp3000]

Thanks much for the input. I did score a MM/Hayden from the forum(thanks Mark) that I'm going to swap with one of the A-470's and I'll see how it does this Sunday with a band.

Also thanks for the tip for the PI voltage, I'll give that a shot as well.

[cbass]

Shouldn't this be in the vox section.

I like to use recycled iron when I can.