You know, at first I thought this was going to be one of those threads where people debate a .000001% type issue. But as it turns out, I think I learned something. (seriously) I'm just not sure what it was. (again, seriously)
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I don't know of any other SS power amps being made currently for MI usage that have output transformers. It's just not necessary for operation like it is in a tube amp and it adds extra cost, so the Hellborg power amps are about it for modern day because Hellborg didn't care what it cost to make and Warwick thought it would appeal to a certain segment of players and up their prestige in amp world. Seems to have worked...they still make them. I can't imagine they sell a butt-ton of them, but they haven't discontinued them either.
As for whether they're useful or not, I absolutely think they are because I am a tube amp fan, and I've yet to hear any amp, tube preamp or tube DI sound quite as awesome and 3-dimensional in sound as a tube amp, unless it has a decent sized OT. In devices like the A-Designs REDDI or the Jule Monique, which have tube front ends and a fairly large OT for their DI lines, they sound way more like tube amps than similar preamps and DI's that don't have OT's. That is not to say that non-OT amps can't sound awesome, but none have ever gotten the true tubey sound without an OT. I can't tell you how the Hellborg rig sounds since I never played one, but Jonas believes that tubes aren't needed as long as you have the OT. I don't know if I believe it entirely, though, as I've never heard a good SS preamp I liked better than a good tube preamp, Maybe one day I'll find out what they sound like, but it hasn't happened yet and I'm not going to buy one to experiment. But from my experiences, damn skippy I'll take the OT! Some might call the difference slight and not important, but to me they're night and day. Doesn't stop me from taking SS gear on certain gigs, though...I'm like the world's worst tube snob
As for whether they're useful or not, I absolutely think they are because I am a tube amp fan, and I've yet to hear any amp, tube preamp or tube DI sound quite as awesome and 3-dimensional in sound as a tube amp, unless it has a decent sized OT. In devices like the A-Designs REDDI or the Jule Monique, which have tube front ends and a fairly large OT for their DI lines, they sound way more like tube amps than similar preamps and DI's that don't have OT's. That is not to say that non-OT amps can't sound awesome, but none have ever gotten the true tubey sound without an OT. I can't tell you how the Hellborg rig sounds since I never played one, but Jonas believes that tubes aren't needed as long as you have the OT. I don't know if I believe it entirely, though, as I've never heard a good SS preamp I liked better than a good tube preamp, Maybe one day I'll find out what they sound like, but it hasn't happened yet and I'm not going to buy one to experiment. But from my experiences, damn skippy I'll take the OT! Some might call the difference slight and not important, but to me they're night and day. Doesn't stop me from taking SS gear on certain gigs, though...I'm like the world's worst tube snob
OTs saturation introduces harmonic distortion and compression that is well documented. It can be measured and it is audible, particularly at low frequencies. Proper audio design tells us that the transformers should be calculated and constructed to operate without saturation at the designed power level. This could or could not be the case in a given device. So, yes, OT could potentially affect the tone. They are not magical devices that transform an amp into magic. In fact, a properly designed and built transformer should be fairly transparent.
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Not such a stretch. The Jonas Hellborg design was inspired by the performance of a Neve console that he has.
The multi tap transformers in 100 V systems are also used to balance out the volume levels of the system. When the operator pages someone in a large facility,
The speaker on the shop floor needs to be much louder than the one in the lobby.
+1, and they shouldn't be used when they aren't. Early SS amps used output transformers because they had to with the output transistors available at the time. One of the great technological leaps of the 1960s was the introduction of direct coupled output transistors, which allowed the elimination of ten pounds of iron and copper.
There is a slight advantage to an output transformer, that being the use of multiple taps for various impedance loads, just as with tubes. But that advantage is too slight to make it worthwhile carrying around that extra ten pounds. IMO the only real benefit to an output transformer is marketing. If you can convince customers that it's worthwhile a certain percentage will pay for it, even if it's $2000. But as seamonkey said, if it was a good idea everyone would do it.
The Mesa Walkabout has a toroidal transformer like the one in your pic.
They are very effective in making sure that your amp doesn't blow away in high winds.
Obsoleted by the Fender Rumble's magnet system.
Obsoleted by the Fender Rumble's magnet system.
Is that any lighter? I have to think so...it certainly couldn't be any heavier! Nonetheless, I'll stick with my Mesa.
I don't think Fender has innovated anything since 1956, besides high-output manufacturing of musical equipment.
The Mesa Walkabout has a toroidal transformer like the one in your pic.
They are very effective in making sure that your amp doesn't blow away in high winds.
Of course that is a power transformer for the line frequency power supply, not an output transformer.
Ah, OK. What I don't know about electrical components and electronics can just about fill a warehouse. I just knew that my Walkabout had that boat anchor in it; I wasn't sure of the function.
Most all the "heavy" SS amps use large power transformers. The feather weights use a SMPS like computers have been using for decades. The SMPS operate at a much higher frequency than the 60/50 hz the mains supply so the size of the "iron" or power transformers can be much smaller.
Then you add a placebo transformer. Cost more money, but doesn't do anything for the sound.
Nobody here or any MI amplifier manufacturer is using constant voltage distribution systems for bass. If they showed up in bass amplifiers it would be a Gimmick.
It's mostly myth
At "saturation" it's saturated - sound isn't getting through - it's terrible distortion.
As it approaches saturation bandwidth becomes limited.
Ultimate HiFi amps are output transformer less (OTL) and that is natural for SS amps.
If the hellborg had some kind of high voltage output that needed to be converted to lower voltage then maybe it'd be useful. Instead it's just a 1:1 type output transformer. a Gimmick, a Placebo
Look, Neve with no output transformer
http://rupertneve.com/products/rnhp-headphone-amplifier/#features
It must be every other SS amp is inspired by Neve also.
