Cinemag output transformers for the g7?

[plumsolly]

Im building a g7 and thinking of using a cinemag output transformer. I wanted to experiment with something other than the lundahl and it doesn't look like a sowter will fit (they are massive) Ive read a lot of posts of people considering using a cinemag and haven't read much about the results people have gotten. it seems like there are a number of cinemag transformers that would work:
CMO-5/200CT, CMO-15/200CT, CM-2461NiCo, CM-96322, CM-2510

any thoughts, or better yet experience? I seem to remember a thread where someone suggested that the g7 circuit was not suited to drive a bv8-type transformer like the CM-2461NiCo, but now i can't find it.

Thanks for your help, Ben

 

[babyhead]

I have used the CM-2461NiCo with an E80f in a G7 with very nice results. I used the PCB, but had to go ghetto and used cable ties to get the output to fit. I plan on rebuilding it p2p with new resistors, because the carbon comps I used might have made it a little hissy, and I can arrange the circuit on discs...

Great project.

 

[plumsolly]

Thanks babyhead - I saw your earlier posts about using the CM-2461NiCo with a g7 circuit. I'm glad to see your still happy with it. could you compare the sound to anything? other mics you own, maybe?
Thanks, Ben

 

[babyhead]

When I first heard it, it was the best mic in my collection. The problem I have with it is the noise floor. I think better construction and different resistors will make a difference. I'm also tube collecting for lowest noise. The NiCo is expensive, but very nice. My G7 =io body + DaleM7 + E80f + AudioNote 2.0uf + NiCo.

Very present, a little more hyped (WTM) than a U67 I used for drums (the U67 was 1/2 the distance from the kit to the G7). The noise is my units drawback. So back to work on it...

 

[plumsolly]

thanks babyhead - I think iv'e decided to go with the CM-2461NiCo as well. just based on your recomendation and listening to the shootout on the cinemag website between the bv8 and the CM-2461NiCo. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.
-Ben

 

[karloff70]

Just thought I'd pipe in and say that the Sowter 3678 sounds very nice indeed in my G7. And you get 3 different impedance choices for the output.

Mine is also a wee bit hissy for some uses however (fine on vocal)....redone it p2p already....might try loosing the Holco resistors for something else, although in theory they should be good'ens....

 

[plumsolly]

thanks for chiming in Karloff. what impedance did you end up using? did you do some listening tests? I was thinking of using the sowter 9995 http://www.sowter.co.uk/acatalog/SOWTER_MIC__LINE_INPUT_3.html#a151 but i looked at the specs and its gigantic. about the size of a 55-galllon drum :grin:
-Ben

 

[karloff70]

Tried 200 first and now have it on 600 for more juice, so I can drive my tube pre less. Not tried 50. The pre has a 150/600 switch, so I can match 600/600. With the mic (sowter) on 600 going onto the pre set to 150 it acquires a slightly thinner and quieter tonality. Different angle, also sounds nice, just not as big. Kind of keen to somehow fit a little 3-way switch eventually. Angles at the ready.

Was looking at the 9995, which specs out better by quite a bit, but I went for the switchable impedance thing. Must say it does sound very nice. Makes me wonder how much better the 9995 would sound......it's got a lot better distortion figures.....but would it 'sound' better....hmmm