[quote author="buttachunk"]Jensen is generally the cleanest of the transformers[/quote]
Jensen does make some really clean and flat transformers, but so do Cinemag, Lundahl, and many others. To say Jensens are "the cleanest" is a little misleading. Actually, there are at least two Cinemag mic inputs (a 1:8 and a 1:10, IIRC) that, as far as my ears and my ST-1700B can tell, are the exact same transformers as the equivalent Jensens, only the Cinemags are cheaper.
[quote author="buttachunk"]The reason you pay less (sometimes) for other traffos is the higher concentrations of steel.[/quote]
True. But again, Cinemag, Lundahl, Profile, et al all have high nickel offerings that are clean as hell, yet consistently cheaper than Jensen.
Jensen transformers are great, don't get me wrong, but at least for mic inputs and line outputs there are cheaper options out there that are just as good, if you bother to look.
Market clout does not the best product make...
Peace,
Al.