REDDI Tube DI Mega Thread . Potential megathread that is.

[beans-on-toast]

So I will ask him about using Silver wire for windings

Peter, the high end audiophile crowd likes silver wound transformers. I heard one in a 300B based system and it sounded more than fantastic. As I recall, the transformer costed $15,000 with solid silver windings. More cost effective copper/silver blends are available but, even still. Yikes!

How about some nice teflon/gold tube sockets like these Yamamoto ones. Very nice stuff.

David

 

[Peter Montessi]

Peter, the high end audiophile crowd likes silver wound transformers. I heard one in a 300B based system and it sounded more than fantastic. As I recall, the transformer costed $15,000 with solid silver windings. More cost effective copper/silver blends are available but, even still. Yikes!

How about some nice teflon/gold tube sockets like these Yamamoto ones. Very nice stuff.

David

Hi David,

OUCH!

I will look into using silver for windings but I'm wondering if what they call silver is nickel.
I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks,

 

[Peter Montessi]

hey guys thanks for the read and info.

here is a youtube live recording with the reddi with john's nos tube. i did have a compressor and eq pedal before the di. only did this cause its a dub tone.

the whole band was sent to the mixing desk then a stereo track sent to the soundcard. all production was done live at the mixing desk...warts and all.

its probably a bit low in the mix for my likings but it was live so whatever.

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i really like the reddi thanks peter. happy with john's tube also.

btw i think the sovtek tube is a fine choice also. i could have used either tube and been happy with the results.

thanks pat

Pat,

Thanks so much for sharing!

Like you, I agree they should have kicked you up on the mix.
You should have also flashed your face at the camera
All I saw was the head stock of your bass.

Thanks again,

 

[Peter Montessi]

I just asked for a short clip and this is what they gave me but I also asked if they had Stevie booked.
They told me today the he was jammed and it would not happen but stranger things have happened in this biz so you never can say never I guess.

No EQ on bass.........I hope you enjoy it.

 

[JimmyM]

Looks like I have some stuff to listen to when I get home and have good headphones to use...in Tampa this weekend with my wife.

So silver...don't know much about OT winding. I know the purpose of them and I know different alloys have different properties. I know I couldn't spend $15,000 on a silver transformer as well. But I do know that I have a specific tone in mind for my bass...Ampeg tube amps have it, and so does the REDDI. Honestly, even if if silver's the best, all I really care about is getting that sound, and as far as I'm concerned, REDDI R&D is finished

 

[jamato8]

Hi jamato8,

No disrespect but Transformers like the ones EP and Cinemag and Jensen make ARE an art!

We use Cinemag all hand wound steel and to watch them complete a transformer always impresses me.

I do have to ask you something...............

The only 2 metals I know of that we use in ALL our output transformers are Nickel and or Steel or a combo of both with different ratios depending on the sound you want to have.

The one for the REDDI was custom made by Tom @ Cinemag when he was alive.
We did try different windings and metal and combos of both with different ratios. But the one that sounded best to me was the steel and Tom got a little more bottom end without giving up anything at the top.

Cinemag still makes all our transformers but it's Dave who now owns and runs the operation today.
Dave was the guy who worked with Tom's Dad before Tom came into the biz so he is light years on top of his game with transformers.
So I will ask him about using Silver wire for windings

Thanks,

I never said that which is used wasn't good. I merely stated that a silver secondary can be extremely fine. And I never said other manufactures did not understand the art, though some do not. A silver/copper is also used for the secondary with very good success. Electraprint transformers are also hand wound but most of the good ones are. I have also used Audio Note UK output transformers, but in audio, as in preamps and dacs, and though their stuff is very expensive, it is very fine. It's all good if it pleases your ear.

 

[Peter Montessi]

I never said that which is used wasn't good. I merely stated that a silver secondary can be extremely fine. And I never said other manufactures did not understand the art, though some do not. A silver/copper is also used for the secondary with very good success. Electraprint transformers are also hand wound but most of the good ones are. I have also used Audio Note UK output transformers, but in audio, as in preamps and dacs, and though their stuff is very expensive, it is very fine. It's all good if it pleases your ear.

Sorry if my post confused you but I never said they were good or bad.
I was just questioning the "SILVER WINDINGS" which I have never heard of and I am thinking that maybe there was some misunderstanding saying Silver when Nickel or Steel is the norm.
But I will check and get back to you on this.

 

[jamato8]

Sorry if my post confused you but I never said they were good or bad.
I was just questioning the "SILVER WINDINGS" which I have never heard of and I am thinking that maybe there was some misunderstanding saying Silver when Nickel or Steel is the norm.
But I will check and get back to you on this.

I am referring to the wire used in the windings.

 

[Peter Montessi]

I am referring to the wire used in the windings.

My Bad,

I just talked to Cinemag and they told me that Silver (pure and plated) are used in the windings!
It is rare (due to costs) that pure silver is used but they do use it!
I guess I just got an education.

Sorry!

 

[BurningSkies]

My Bad,

I just talked to Cinemag and they told me that Silver (pure and plated) are used in the windings!
It is rare (due to costs) that pure silver is used but they do use it.
I guess I just got an education.

So if anyone wants a REDDI at xxxx.00 with pure silver windings on the output OUCH!

For that kind of money, could you at least do a platinum plated exterior too? And an executive leather carry-case?

 

[Peter Montessi]

For that kind of money, could you at least do a platinum plated exterior too? And an executive leather carry-case?

Yeah,

I thought about it for a second and you see that I edited it out.


It was a joke but I am learning that people do take it seriously.

 

[jamato8]

The primary doesn't need to be silver and the secondary can be a copper/silver mix, so much money can be saved but you get great results.

 

[Peter Montessi]

The primary doesn't need to be silver and the secondary can be a copper/silver mix, so much money can be saved but you get great results.

Yes,

Dave informed me that there were a few things that can be done.
He said when using pure silver windings they become brittle over time. But you could use Silver Plated and that stands up better over time.
Maybe at some point when I have a few extra $$$ just hangin around I would like to hear what that would sound like and if the bottom end on the REDDI would change in tone.

Here's the kicker..............Cobalt!
I guess the costs on this is just as much or more?

I can't imagine what that must sound like but it would be interesting to see if they can do a one off to just test.

 

[jamato8]

Truly pure silver is dead soft and doesn't get brittle. In fact true pure silver goes dead soft, which is what you want anyway, for the best sound. I use only 99.9995 or greater purity silver. Yes, there are some fun materials to use in transformers and expensive but good iron or iron and nickel and go a long ways when done right, as you know.

 

[neadams]

My Sadowsky M5-24 is a very mid forward, glassy top end instrument. (perfect example: )
What I like most about the bass tone seemed to disappear in my mix. No longer did the notes have that jump out feel to them. They were now replaced by a softer edge tone that lacked that bark. I became more concerned as the set went on. I thought I no longer could feel the center of my notes. After the set, the drummer commented how fat everything was. For the first time, EVERY note had body to it. Hearing that, I went to work on the EQ for for my mix. While I needed a bunch to make up for what was lacking before, it was apparent, the boost in the low end was no longer needed. I wiped most of the eq from my mix and, stated flat. Set two went much better. I could hear the focus of the bass much better, but still it seemed like a different instrument than I was used to hearing.

I had the same issue with my Sadowsky Preamp/DI when I first got the REDDI. I loved the Sadowsky Pre going from my Fender Jazz to a standard direct box or even the Groove Tubes Brick. But, when I got the REDDI, putting the two together seemed like it took away most of the note definition in the mix and even got a little muddy. I believe what the Sadowsky Pre EQ does is already built into the REDDI. So I didn't need to boost any of the EQ on the Sadowsky Pre to get a good sound. I ended up selling the Sadowsky Pre and buying a VT Bass to put in front of the REDDI. I've been more happy with my tone now than I have been in a long time. I also use IEM's 99% of the time.

 

[Peter Montessi]

Truly pure silver is dead soft and doesn't get brittle. In fact true pure silver goes dead soft, which is what you want anyway, for the best sound. I use only 99.9995 or greater purity silver. Yes, there are some fun materials to use in transformers and expensive but good iron or iron and nickel and go a long ways when done right, as you know.

Still it would be fun to hear what it does to the sound.
From my understanding the metals used today are so much better than from (lets say) 30 to 50 years ago.
The refining process has improved so you get a purer metal these days.
BUT if you go back to the 50s and 60s that sound......it makes me wonder if TOO pure is Better?
I don't know but again it would be interesting.

Great chatting with you!

 

[jamato8]

Still it would be fun to hear what it does to the sound.
From my understanding the metals used today are so much better than from (lets say) 30 to 50 years ago.
The refining process has improved so you get a purer metal these days.
BUT if you go back to the 50s and 60s that sound......it makes me wonder if TOO pure is Better?
I don't know but again it would be interesting.

Great chatting with you!

It is about tone, or a least that is a big part of it. Yes the metals were different and they worked on it like it was an art, as we have mentioned. Using carbon resistors instead of metal film, though the carbons then, weren't always stable, they had a warmer sound and personality, if you will. They designed with what they had and got the sound. Look at what Jimi Hendrix did. He used the RCA black plate 5751 and over drove it to get that swirling sound. He knew what exact tube he wanted for the sound he needed. And then there is the wood used in the cabinets. None of the cheap pressboard, but different types of wood, that added or subtracted from the sound.

Some of the iron from 40 years ago is still great and look at the speakers. They are often going back to the older technology in order to get the "sound". They aren't making better violins than the Stradivarius, even with new finishes etc.

 

[Peter Montessi]

It is about tone, or a least that is a big part of it. Yes the metals were different and they worked on it like it was an art, as we have mentioned. Using carbon resistors instead of metal film, though the carbons then, weren't always stable, they had a warmer sound and personality, if you will. They designed with what they had and got the sound. Look at what Jimi Hendrix did. He used the RCA black plate 5751 and over drove it to get that swirling sound. He knew what exact tube he wanted for the sound he needed. And then there is the wood used in the cabinets. None of the cheap pressboard, but different types of wood, that added or subtracted from the sound.

Some of the iron from 40 years ago is still great and look at the speakers. They are often going back to the older technology in order to get the "sound". They aren't making better violins than the Stradivarius, even with new finishes etc.

I agree, you forgot about the caps they use now with no oil like they did only a few years back now and the Lead Free.

I agree AGAIN it's all about the sound and you know as well as I do that's it's all highly subjective

 

[jamato8]

I agree, you forgot about the caps they use now with no oil like they did only a few years back now and the Lead Free.

I agree AGAIN it's all about the sound and you know as well as I do that's it's all highly subjective

The lead free solders really messed with the sound for a while. It seems they have some better formulas now. I still have a couple of 1 pound rolls of high quality lead solder but I understand the need to change.

Yes, I do use some oil caps and they are available now. You can get aluminum and oil, which don't sound bad at all, copper and oil an silver and oil. And then there is the teflon caps and you can get those in Russian NOS on the cheap or others costing 20 times as much. Also for power supply caps you can not beat ASC oil and poly in up to 100uf 600 volt. Put them as the last power supply caps and you will be amazed. They are ultra fast and clean and don't cost all that much but then that is using them with power tubes.

 

[Peter Montessi]

The lead free solders really messed with the sound for a while. It seems they have some better formulas now. I still have a couple of 1 pound rolls of high quality lead solder but I understand the need to change.

Yes, I do use some oil caps and they are available now. You can get aluminum and oil, which don't sound bad at all, copper and oil an silver and oil. And then there is the teflon caps and you can get those in Russian NOS on the cheap or others costing 20 times as much. Also for power supply caps you can not beat ASC oil and poly in up to 100uf 600 volt. Put them as the last power supply caps and you will be amazed. They are ultra fast and clean and don't cost all that much but then that is using them with power tubes.

Yeah,

I know what you mean cause I still have a number of rolls of the old stuff myself.
After dealing with the new laws on leaded v unleaded and going thru the headaches of all THAT we use a high silver solder on everything cause we ship overseas and have to deal with RoHs.

They mean BUSINESS let me tell you