transformer vendor list

[edanderson]

first posted this list back on "the old place" in 2003 ish era.  now with more info added; some may be out of date,  use at your own risk. reply with any updates if you want them added.

ed

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shops that support the forum
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classic audio products of illinois
http://www.classicapi.com/catalog/
input and output transformers for api type projects

hairball audio
http://www.hairballaudio.com/shop/
input and output transformers for 1176 and neve type projects

samar audio design
http://www.samaraudiodesign.com/Products.html
a range of line, mic, and ribbon transformers

51x audio
http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=39570.0
volker sells haufe ST8456 mic input transformers in his shop



-------------------
pro audio standard parts
you should be able to order most of these easily from stock
-------------------

jensen transformers, inc - usa
http://www.jensen-transformers.com
(866) 476-6291
very good, clean sounding, industry standard
lots of info, application notes, etc. on webpage
expensive, but you get what you pay for
(not to be confused with jensen electronics, no relation)


hammond - canada / usa
http://www.hammondmfg.com/5caud.htm
a good selection and good product, available through digikey, mouser, etc
relatively expensive


lundahl - sweden
www.lundahl.se
see site for distributors
an expanding selection of very high quality units
one or two vintage repro units - rca bc-2b
may do custom design with enough demand
used in a number of gyraf designs!
generally very transparent


sowter - uk
http://www.sowter.co.uk
good quality, some vintage repro units (incl neve)
will sometimes do custom designs, have their own style
will sell single units direct
also available through



stevens and billington - uk
http://www.stevens-billington.co.uk/
make a range of mu-shielded line in and out and mic in transformers
individuals can buy direct


crimson audio transformers - usa
http://www.crimsonaudiotransformers.com
make a 1:1 line input, 1:10 mic input and a 4:1 output
can do custom designs


jlm audio - australia
http://www.jlmaudio.com
makes a toroid 1:10 input and an api 2503 like output, gapped neve-esque output


cinemag - usa
http://www.cinemag.biz
make transformers for many pro audio shops
will sell single units direct


experience electronics - germany
http://www.experience-electronics.de/englisch/bauteile/studio-uebertrager.htm
a range of mic input and 1:1 line in and out transformers


lynx audio - brazil (thanks fabio)
http://www.audiolink.com.br/audiolink/transformadores/audio.htm
small range of line in and out transformers


harbuch - australia
http://www.harbuch.com.au
kev has used these and likes them
full line of input, output and power transformers
they are have some inexpensive units if you're in this part of the world


neutrik - liechtenstein (fun to say)
http://www.neutrik.com
look under products > accessories > transformers
they make a few mu-metal shielded units
which look similar to lundahls
and some really tiny non shielded ones
ask your local neutrik rep, can be hard to get or expensive


beyer dynamic - germany
http://home.hetnet.nl/mr_7/66/chickennerdpig/FILES/BeyerDynamic_AudioInputTransformers_catalog.pdf
they make a line of physically tiny transformers
mostly mic and line input
not too expensive but minimum orders may apply
contact your local beyer rep


amplimo - netherlands
http://www.ringkerntrafo.nl/category.php?id_category=40
make some very affordable small 1:1 and stepup transformers
and some more robust ones that cost more


bürklin - germany
http://www.buerklin.com/
some inexpensive iso and mic input transformers made by pikatron
and some high quality toroid input and output transformers
usa office: (970) 429-1265
audio 1:1 iso - C105.900
mic input - C106.000
high quality 1:1 input - C106.100
high quality 1:1 output - C106.400


pikatron - germany
http://www.pikatron.de/en/home.html
jakob mentioned they still make replacement
trafos for the old neumann preamp modules
they also make an inexpensive 1:10 mic input
usually have a minimum order, but they do sell direct


oep - uk
http://www.oep.co.uk
make a limited but versatile selection
sold thru farnell- newark can order them in the usa
sell seperate mumetal shield cans.
inexpensive but good when you want to hear the transformer working


edcor - usa
http://www.edcorusa.com/
somewhat large physically, unshielded
used by several projects on the forum
can do custom work
very inexpensive


monacor - germany
electronic parts vendor sells two inexpensive transformers
very small and colorful 1:1+0.5 line transformer:
http://www.monacor.de/produktdetailseite/?artikelid=2651
DI box transformer 10:1:
http://www.monacor.de/produktdetailseite/?artikelid=6231
available through local resellers in germany


radio shack - usa
this item has two decent 1:1 line transformers inside for $18, p/n 270-054:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062214
it sounds terrible, but maybe that's what you want; $3, p/n 273-1380:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103254


----------------
reproductions of defunct manufacturers
----------------
carnhill - uk
www.carnhill.co.uk
making vintage neve repro units
they bought out st ives, who did make neve trannys
BUT marinair made all of the classic ones,
and so the claim of "original" sounding trannys is in dispute.
will sometimes do custom designs.
good quality.  expensive and often difficult to deal with.
carnhill has minimum orders.
single units are available for purchase worldwide through:
http://www.audiomaintenance.com/acatalog/index.html


tab-funkenwerk - usa
http://www.tab-funkenwerk.com/x-former.html
oliver archut is the expert on all things telefunken related
offers mic output transformers and V7x series replacement iron


shinrock - germany
http://www.shinrock.de
some very nice info on telefunken gear
mostly custom designs, telefunken and amp repro


haufe - germany
http://www.haufe-uebertrager.de
i'm pretty sure they made many of the trafos
in the old telefunken v-series preamps
not much info on the site
apparently they sell a small T14/1 (AKG C-12 output)
and some of the v-series chokes are available
they will do custom work


utc - usa
was bought out by opt industries
now owned by magnetika aka torwico
http://www.magnetika.com
they claim to be able to make all the old stuff
but you have to order a lot
and their prices change seemingly randomly
good luck


triad - usa
http://www.parallaxpower.com/Catalog/catalog.html
now a part of magnetek, renamed parallax
they used to make a wide range of audio trannys
now just telephone stuff mostly
tho they do say they could do custom work


magnequest - usa
http://www.magnequest.com
owner of all the peerless and acrosound docs
mostly amp output trafos and chokes, hifi stuff
they do make a b7 15k that can be reversed for a 1:5 stepup
have made S-217-D (pultec OPT) in the past for $300ea
hit or miss in terms of getting any response


avon magnetics - uk
http://www.avonmagnetics.co.uk/
do custom audio transformers
have docs for all the old gardners designs
but their repros are VERY expensive


-------------------------
botique hifi vendors
that make some transformers of interest
-------------------------

electra-print - usa
http://www.electra-print.com/lineoutput.html
make a few custom and one 600:15k stepup
as well as one 8:1 output stepdown
shielding costs extra


majestic - uk
http://www.transformers.uk.com/product01.htm
custom only, but do vintage hifi repro
mostly output, power, and chokes


bartolucci - italy
http://www.audiomarketing.net/bartolucci
tube preamp, amplifier, and power transformers


tamura - japan / global
http://www.tamura-ss.co.jp/en/electronics/trance.html#09
tube hifi interstage and output
http://www.tamura-ss.co.jp/en/electronics/trance.html#04
general input and output transformers
no idea if these are actually available


--------------------
guitar amp transformers
--------------------

O/netics - usa
http://www.rhodesamplification.com/products/transformers
this site sells their guitar amp transformers
O/netics has done custom pro audio stuff in the past


heyboer - usa
http://heyboertransformers.com/tubeamps.shtml
they make their guitar amp transformers
can do custom work
http://www.mojotone.com/transformers
this site sells heyboer's stock guitar amp transformers


mercury magnetics - usa
http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/mainframe.htm

--------------------
b2b contacts
these companies don't sell to end users, but may make large quantities of audio transformers
contact them for custom designs
--------------------

altran - usa
http://www.altrancorp.com/
make a wide range of audio input and output transformers
a few stock parts but mostly custom designs


v&f transformers - usa
http://www.vf-transformer.com/
EI output transformers


woodward schumacher - usa
http://www.schumachercorp.com
known for their guitar amp outputs
they do custom work


marvel magnetics / magnetic components - usa
http://www.marvelelectric.com
http://www.magneticcomponents.net
sister companies known for their guitar amp outputs and EI power transformers



----------------
toroidal power transformers
----------------

amveco / talema - usa
http://www.amveco.com
pcb mount encapsulated
and chassis mount
available from:
http://www.digikey.com

antrim - uk
http://www.trans-tronic.co.uk/

avel lindberg - usa
http://www.avellindberg.com/
a good standard line of toroids

plitron - canada
http://www.plitron.com
also do pricey hifi tube output transformers

powertronix - usa
http://www.powertronix.com/
they make a line of audio power supply toroids

toroid corp of maryland - usa
http://www.toroid.com
205-5076 is a tube preamp power transformer for $91
their standard line is on the pricey side







-----------------
probably defunct
-----------------
sescom - usa
http://www.sescom.com/
used to make pro audio transformers, no longer on their website

victoria magnetics - usa
http://www.victoriamagnetics.com
website gone, noone can contact the owner

reichenbach - usa
no website, no answer on the phone

hand wound transformers - usa
apparently not trustworthy

profile electronics - usa
website is busted, not sure what happened

 

[Marik]

Ed,

You forgot Bartolucci in Italy.

http://www.audiomarketing.net/bartolucci

Also, I would highly discourage dealing with www.handwoundtransformers.com unless you want to be ripped off.

 

[Jonathan Hayward]

Thanks ed, a neat resource. :thumb:

 

[peter purpose]

Top stuff Ed....cheers :guinness:

 

[zebra50]

Excellent!

Should this be a META thread?

 

[jrmintz]

Here are two more:

http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/

mostly guitar amp stuff, I think

http://www.plitron.com/

tube amp output and power toroids

 

[Plexibreath]

Another for guitar amps, Obsolete Electronics at http://www.obsoleteelectronics.com/ they make great replicas of plexi Marshall and Vox output transformers. Another I'd mention for guitar amps, Stephen Delft, he makes the very best handwound output transformers for guitar amps, but good luck getting in contact with him.
Kelley

 

[CJ]

Thank's Ed and everybody!
This is now in the Transformer meta.
cj

 

[thermionic]

Great work Ed :guinness:

Antrim toroids:

http://www.antrimtransformers.com/

They are the quietest mains toroids I have ever used, eerily quiet. I have a 500va in the studio which is absolutely silent. Prices are good, moqs are not bad either.

Justin

edit: Another one to check out:
http://www.transformer-equipment.co.uk/products.htm

Established 1948. I haven't used the product yet, but they supplied a quote to me a while back and the prices and standard of service were good.

Another edit: Here's another supplier to check out, quite a few for valve apps: http://www.vvttransformers.co.uk/
Members of the International Coil Winding Association (I bet it's a riot at their Christmas party :green: )

Huge list of transformer makers here:
http://www.interfacebus.com/inductors_transformers.html

 

[al_p]

nice work. thank you.
:guinness:

-AL

 

[al_p]

nice work. thank you.
:guinness:

-AL

 

[Bryson]

[quote author="edanderson"]

reichenbach - usa
no website that i can find
Bauer Communications (transformers only)
1124 Barstow Ave.
Eugene Oregon 97404
800-627-7277
541-689-0893
make similarly specced but cheaper models relative to jensen
the low ratio ones are supposed to be nearly as good as the jensens, the higher ones not so much
harder to get ahold of, but could be a bargain


cinemag - usa
http://www.cinemag.biz
make transformers for many pro audio shops
most units in the $40 range
quality comparable to jensen for less money
will sell single units direct

[/quote]

Cinimag is Tom Reichenbach's company.
I wonder how they differ from what Bauer offers.

 

[edanderson]

re: jensen vs. reichenbach/bauer vs. cinemag

here is what i know about the relationship between these three companies.

ed reichenbach designed some transformers that were made for jensen. at the same time, jimmy bauer also worked for jensen. at some point the relationship between deane jensen and mr. bauer soured, and reichenbach no longer provided transformers to jensen. bauer has continued to sell reichenbach's designs under the reichenbach/bauer name. jensen has made changes to the designs so that the current jensen transformers are different from what reichenbach sells.

tom reichenbach is ed reichenbach's son. he worked with his father for a time, but split off many years ago to form his own company, cinemag. the cinemag transformers are not related in any way to the jensen reichenbach designs. however, cinemag does have the files for most of ed reichenbach's older designs, from when he worked for quad eight, urei, etc.

the breakup of reichenbach and jensen was apparently a very acrimonious split. bill whitlock has commented on it on rec.audio.pro.

ed

 

[NewYorkDave]

Interesting story.

I called Cinemag a couple of years ago to inquire about some custom transformers. The guy I talked to (don't remember his name) seemed just as interested in dissing Jensen as he was in talking about my transformer needs. I've heard nothing but good things about Cinemag transformers; but slagging a competitor is poor form, in my book, so I was bit turned off.

 

[rafafredd]

They seems to carry some nice MC stepup transformer for 30 bucks:

http://www.goldenmiddle.com/english/trans.htm

And here you can buy some cheap ones:

http://custom1.farnell.com/cpc/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CPC+Catalogue&category%5Fname=Components+%2D+Transformers+and+Inductors+%2D+Audio&product%5Fid=269606

Also check:

http://www.buerklin.com/

http://axis.jeack.com.au/~lucas/it.htm

http://www.picoelectronics.com/plugin/pe44.htm

http://www.allnicaudio.co.kr/transformers.html

custom:

http://www.vrt-transformer.dk/

That´s all I could find on my links that wasn´t on this list yet. Great list! Anyone have others?

 

[NewYorkDave]

Very cool links! Thanks.

Those "Adastra" transformers from Farnell look interesting and reasonably priced--although probably not a cost-effective option for those of us outside the UK, since shipping and duty is liable to add a lot to the cost.

I was aware that Pico here in NY made audio transformers, but I never saw a listing of their line before. I wish they were a little bit cheaper :roll: Thanks for the link...

 

[ciminosound]

AAHHH!!!!!!!!!!

We had this on Group DIY, is Group DIY gone??????????

(I'm not on MY computer for the links)

 

[edanderson]

audisar transformers
[email protected] (bob munger, designer)
http://www.vetcosurplus.com/audisar/
make a small range.
kinda pricey but a few interesting models.
single unit pricing:
five way 600ohm distribution 9k-600-6 $100ea
two way 600ohm distribution 9k-600-3 $75ea
1:1 600ohm line isolation 9k-600-2 $50ea
high ratio mic input transformer "plus 8" $150ea
(this last unit is a drop in replacement for the presonus mp20)

 

[wilebee]

I little more info on audisar. Bob Munger is a good guy he has been recovering from a stroke for the last 2 years. He is a good designer. I don't think he has been able to get to his winding machines but is having someone do the winding for him. His entire product line is still avalible I believe. Some other manufactuirers in the Seattle area Deyoung manufacturing the make a lot of small signal transformers for Boeing but they also make the transformer sets for the Soldano SLO 100. there is also Onetics (Bud Purvine) has a family background in transformer design I think it was his dad was part of Chicago transformer he makes power and output transformers for folks like mackie,THD electronics and Audioprism all custom oem work good transformers!

Wil

Wilebee

 

[edanderson]

yes, i spoke to bob today when getting the pricing; a very nice guy. he said he wont be up to full capacity production for another year or so, but he has some stock of all his models. the presonus upgrade transformers he has pictured on his site have onetics labels on them, so i suppose onetics is at least making those for him. he referred me to chris kelly at presonus for more information about those particular transformers.

ed