Traynor YBA-200 that needs a new power transformer....keep it or sell it?

[geezerjpj]

I have a YBA-200 from approx. 2004 not a YBA-200-2 that I originally paid $450 for. It hasn't seen much playing time as when I first had it I wasn't in a band. Later when I did start playing in bands again I acquired a Peavey Classic 400 which since then has been my go to amp.

It was recently diagnosed as needing a new OUTPUT TRANSFORMER(not power transformer as per my incorrect headline). The volume for the amp has always been very low(I always had to have both pre and post set pretty darn high) perhaps implying that the transformer has always been bad. And when cranked it blows fuses, and previously it blew a tube. It has a new set of EH 6550's in it which set me back around $200 for tubes and installation. A new output transformer will cost me around $190.

I'm trying to decide whether to keep it and pony up for a new output transformer, or just dump it and cut my losses. Since I know that these things ie the first edition auto biased YBA-200s have a poor reliability rating my first inclination has been to get rid of it.

The problem is that today I just got a TC Electronic RS210 dropped off by UPS and I used the Traynor to test it out. It sounded awesome. I took both to rehearsal where they sounded even better......trashy overdriven tone which really cut with my old Rick 4001 strung with GHS flats played thru a SWR Big Ben and the RS210 played with a pick. However once again I really had to crank it( I had the middle mids cranked and the post volume at about 2 oclock with the the pre at 3 oclock) to keep up with a hard hitting drummer and loud guitarist who plays a 60 watt fender Hot Rod Deville.

Will it be louder if I where to have the output transformer replaced? We play without PA support most of the time and usually turn up even louder live than at rehearsal which has our ears ringing. And can I trust it over the long haul?

I really don"t trust it........................ but I've got a fair amount of change sunk into it already. Should I I fork out the $190? Or should I bail and cut my losses now? And if so, how much should I sell it for?

Any thoughts/suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Has anybody (who plays loud music and pushes their amps a bit)had good luck with their early edition auto biased YBA200s(ie not upgraded to 200-2 specs) over the long haul ....?

Thanks

[B-string]

I personally am confused how the power trans was diagnosed as the problem? As far as having to really crank it, you are not trying to get massive volume from just 2 10" are you? More speaker area will get you more volume.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by geezerjpj

And when cranked it blows fuses, and previously it blew a tube. It has a new set of EH 6550's in it which set me back around $200 for tubes and installation. A new transformer will cost me around $190.

Since replacing all the tubes didn't fix the problem, I question whether all the tubes actually did need replacing. If the tech didn't have a tube tester and just shot gunned it by replacing them all, I'd find another tech.

IMO, tubes are part of the maintenance of the amp and not something you add up to figure out if you want to keep an amp. IMO, either you want to keep the tube amp or you don't. If you do, get it fixed and move on. If you don't, sell it and move on.

[geezerjpj]

Originally Posted by B-string

I personally am confused how the power trans was diagnosed as the problem? As far as having to really crank it, you are not trying to get massive volume from just 2 10" are you? More speaker area will get you more volume.

I don't know how the tech came to that diagnosis but he did.

As for speakers...tonight I was running it thru the 210 and an 18. In the past I ran it thru an Avatar Neo 212 and the 18 w the same low volume result.

I am not a tech. But to me having having a weak output transformer makes sense when one considers that different amps that share the same tube configuration will have different outputs all other things being equal apart from transformer size. The amp with the heftier(healhier/heartier) transformer usually wins.

[geezerjpj]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

IMO, tubes are part of the maintenance of the amp and not something you add up to figure out if you want to keep an amp. IMO, either you want to keep the tube amp or you don't. If you do, get it fixed and move on. If you don't, sell it and move on.

The tubes were replaced because one of them blew. The amp at the time was only two or three years old...that's typically not a normal maintenance interval. I didn't say so explicitly but what am implying is that all of the things I am talking about could be related to a bad transformer. The low volume, blown fuses, blown tubes are a laundry list of symptoms perhaps associated w a bad output transformer... a diagnosis which to my layman's mind(although I was an electronics tech in the Coast Guard for 4 years...I don't know much...I flushed a lot of things)as i stated previously sounds reasonable..

I like the amp...I just wish it was louder and I can't afford to have it break on me any more.

There are long threads on the YBA 200...most of them are pretty old. I am hoping for new information on the luck both good and bad(this amp does have a bad rep) that people have been having over time with the first edition heads

[B-string]

Power transformers usually don't get "weak", if the windings short on the primary or secondary the voltage will be lower and they will usually get very warm. Primary side shorts usually blow fuses regularly if not just plain smoke.
Traynors are a different amp to work on and not every tech can do them justice. JIHMO I'd get a second opinion, you may have a much simpler trouble. Hate to see you dump the amp or spend that much on a questionable diag? Power transformers are a simple device, if he told you that the ac voltage from the trans was low and that trans buzzes and get very hot, then go for it. Just trying to help

[xray]

Well, you may just want to get another YBA-200 off CL or ebay. They're running around 350-400 and you'd end up with spare parts or buy one that needs tubes for less and get a transformer plus spares out of it. Personally, with that much sunk into it you're definitely at crossroads.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by geezerjpj

The tubes were replaced because one of them blew. The amp at the time was only two or three years old...that's typically not a normal maintenance interval. I didn't say so explicitly but what am implying is that all of the things I am talking about could be related to a bad transformer. The low volume, blown fuses, blown tubes are a laundry list of symptoms perhaps associated w a bad output transformer... a diagnosis which to my layman's mind(although I was an electronics tech in the Coast Guard for 4 years...I don't know much...I flushed a lot of things)as i stated previously sounds reasonable..

I like the amp...I just wish it was louder and I can't afford to have it break on me any more.

There are long threads on the YBA 200...most of them are pretty old. I am hoping for new information on the luck both good and bad(this amp does have a bad rep) that people have been having over time with the first edition heads

Above you say output trans. Different end and more sensitive. Tubes are not long lived in Traynors BTW. They stress the output tubes really hard and not all tubes can survive a Traynor.

[geezerjpj]

Originally Posted by B-string

Power transformers usually don't get "weak",

I was wondering about that myself ie is a good transformer one that works like it should and is a bad transformer one that just stopped working completely?
And are toroidal transformers any different?

Thanks for the input.

I trust my tech from a conscientious standpoint(which counts for a lot in my book especially here in NYC)...but he is a little on the young side.

[geezerjpj]

Originally Posted by B-string

Above you say output trans. Different end and more sensitive. Tubes are not long lived in Traynors BTW. They stress the output tubes really hard and not all tubes can survive a Traynor.

I meant output.

I'll edit accordingly. Thanks

[Stumbo]

You might want to check this link out on tube amp techs from all over the USA(some in NY area): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/good-amp-techs-519922-post7046092/

[B-string]

I think Bassmanpaul has some Traynor experience if you would like to PM him?

[geezerjpj]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

You might want to check this link out on tube amp techs from all over the USA(some in NY area): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7046092

Thanks. I'll check it out tomorrow.

Off to bed.

Cheers

[B-string]

Originally Posted by geezerjpj

I was wondering about that myself ie is a good transformer one that works like it should and is a bad transformer one that just stopped working completely?
And are toroidal transformers any different?

Thanks for the input.

I trust my tech from a conscientious standpoint(which counts for a lot in my book especially here in NYC)...but he is a little on the young side.

Young not good working with a Traynor, even some of us old boys don't have a good handle on them.

[rodl2005]

I've had my YBA200 for a year nearly now & changed the pwr tubes for a set of JJ KT88's- have not had ONE prob. in over 35 gigs with it!!!!! LOVE this amp!

There is a 'fairly simple' upgrade that TRAYNOR willingly email a PDF to you so U can make it intio a bias -able YBA200-2. BUT AS I said- I've had NO probs. I didn't even NEED to change the power tubes, I just did as I had a B'day & my wife bought me a set of tubes for it.

I DO like the tone a li'l better with the JJ's in it- rather than the old SOVTEK 6550's, but it's a SMALL difference.

I even sold my Ampeg V4BH, as this YBA200 just suits me perfectly. Has plenty of power-especially thru a good cab/s with plenty of cone area pushing plenty of air!!!

I Usually use it thru a Bergantino NV610(Sounds AWESOME thru this-punchy, & explosive), a Berg NV215(deep & punchy & able to sound a 'bit' more modern as the NV215 has a 6" hi freq driver) BUT sometimes I use it thru a Mark bass HR151(1x15") &/or EV TL606(1x15") & it sounds GREAT thru all these combinations!

[johnk_10]

it could be the ouput tranny, but it also easily could be something else. it's too hard for me to diagnose with the info given, over the net, without the amp in front of me.

i keep a few different output trannys on hand so i can just clip lead them into an amp as last resort for testing when everything else in it tests okay.

an ouput tranny can definitely exhibit low power, but IMO, 90% of the time it's pretty obvious whether it has a problem or not.

if you keep the amp, and get it sorted, i would recommend converting it to the adjustable bias YBA-200-2 version.