Peavey TMP1 transformer question

[Coldsnow]

So I have a peavey tmp1 tube preamp.  There is both a transformed balanced output at 200 ohm and a non balanced output rated at 10k ohm.  I like the unit but would like to bypass the output transformer, but 10k seems like a high impedance on the output.  Would it work to use a jensen or other high quality transformer off of the 10k unbalanced output to lower the impedance? 
What would you suggest?

 

[dbelousov]

As I see they use the same terrible trafo the VMP-2 was famous for. It's possible to replace it but the unbalanced output should be fine if these preamps share the same output schematic.

 

[Whoops]

I like the unit but would like to bypass the output transformer, but 10k seems like a high impedance on the output. 

Why do you say 10K it's high?
10K is good for any DI box input.

If you need to lower the impedance you can also use an active buffer, does it have to be passive?
What's the use you're trying to achieve?

And swapping the original transformer for a better one? if thats the problem

 

[PRR]

I think it is 500r source impedance but can't drive loads much smaller than 10k without strain.

Do you even have any <10k loads in your studio? Today that is very rare.

 

[JohnRoberts]

As I see they use the same terrible trafo the VMP-2 was famous for. It's possible to replace it but the unbalanced output should be fine if these preamps share the same output schematic.

Please do not mention VMP-2 in the same sentence with this...  Where do you see what transformer is used?

When I was over all product management for Peavey I avoided products like this... Tube, class a, yadda yadda. I resisted much arm twisting from Hartley because he saw similar products in the marketplace separating phools from their money and he wanted to join the party.  This SKU was done after I left product management and could no longer argue against doing it.

I have no actual information regarding what is inside other than knowing who did not design it (not the same VMP engineers). Please forgive my negative speculation, but I have low expectations. 

If they copied output features of VMP,  high Z unbalanced output, I would hope  that works the same way.

JR

 

[dbelousov]

The trafo looks exactly the same at the photos. Yes, I know that it's a weak argument, but since the VMP-2's output trafo was already threre and it was cheap it's logical.

John, I read the backstory,  every VMP-2 user (including me) is very grateful to you for its unbalanced output. I really like it, but the output transformer turns this very decent preamp into a piece of junk and has to be avoided. I believe it's the main reason why so many people unhappy with it. Changing output improves the sound dramatically.

 

[JohnRoberts]

The trafo looks exactly the same at the photos. Yes, I know that it's a weak argument, but since the VMP-2's output trafo was already threre and it was cheap it's logical.

John, I read the backstory,  every VMP-2 user (including me) is very grateful to you for its unbalanced output. I really like it, but the output transformer turns this very decent preamp into a piece of junk and has to be avoided. I believe it's the main reason why so many people unhappy with it. Changing output improves the sound dramatically.

The best transformer IMO is "no" transformer.... The is no practical way to perform the vacuum tube microphone amplification front end without a transformer, so a decent one (IMO) was used in the VMP. Output transformers inside a modern studio are worse than unnecessary, so not a focus of mine regarding delivering audio path performance. 

I disagree with your characterization that VMP is a piece of junk, from where I sit they still seem pretty popular... I have no interest in looking inside a TMP, I am all too familiar with the product definition and can only imagine...

My apologies to the OP for dissing his pre. 

JR

 

[dbelousov]

I disagree with your characterization that VMP is a piece of junk, from where I sit they still seem pretty popular...

I don't believe that my English sucks that much

I don't think that VMP is a piece of junk, I think it sounds great, nice and fat tube sound, and it delivers exactly what people want tubes for.  But ONLY through its unbalanced outputs.

My point is that its output transformers, which I tested because I have this pre, recapped and retubed, and use it extensively, are really bad. But I don't care, I just don't use its balanced outputs.

 

[JohnRoberts]

I don't believe that my English sucks that much

I don't think that VMP is a piece of junk, I think it sounds great, nice and fat tube sound, and it delivers exactly what people want tubes for.  But ONLY through its unbalanced outputs.

I quoted your post where you said the output transformer turned it into a piece of junk and has to be avoided.....

I cannot read your mind so am left with what you wrote.

My apologies to the OP for this veer.....

JR 

My point is that its output transformers, which I tested because I have this pre, recapped and retubed, and use it extensively, are really bad. But I don't care, I just don't use its balanced outputs.

 

[Whoops]

I never used or seen this TMP1 unit,
but in the past I was recording in a studio that had the Peavey VMP-2 unit.
It looked nice, a tube mic preamp I tried it out and tried to make it work, but I really didn't like the sound, was too dull for my taste so I changed for another unit, fortunately they had a really nice mic preamps selection. I never thought about it again.

But saying this, maybe if I go there in the future I should try to use the unbalanced outputs instead of the transformer balanced outs, if that's what they had connected to the patchbay, and then I can give it a second chance to the unit.

dbelousov as you have the unit do you think you can do a simple recording though the both outputs so we can listen the sound diferencies?

 

[luckybastard77]

The trafo looks exactly the same at the photos. Yes, I know that it's a weak argument, but since the VMP-2's output trafo was already threre and it was cheap it's logical.

John, I read the backstory,  every VMP-2 user (including me) is very grateful to you for its unbalanced output. I really like it, but the output transformer turns this very decent preamp into a piece of junk and has to be avoided. I believe it's the main reason why so many people unhappy with it. Changing output improves the sound dramatically.

If it’s the same transformer the Edcor WSM 15k/600 will work splendidly. It’s cheap to boot. I put these in my VMP2.