Couple Original A-470s

[Blackburn]

Hey guys, just picked up two original Dynaco OTs for what I feel was a good price and was hoping maybe some would lend some insight. I'm planning on trying one in my AC30 build. It's common practice to tape off the extra leads, right? Any 'word to the wise' info about these?

David

[funkmeblue]

yes it is fine to tape off the extra ultra linear leads or you could just add a pentode/ultra linear switch....

[Blackburn]

Would it be worth this, or is this tranny best wired straight up? I'm thinking I'll just be using it as a normal OT w/out the extra taps because that's what I've heard others doing and they like the results and I likely will too. If what I've read about this thing is true, then I think it should be a very nice tonal compliment to the amp I have in mind to put it in. I can't wait to compare this to the Mercury I have in there now.

[Colossal]

David,

FWIW, I've used Mercury's A470-S offering in a 4xEL84 Rocket build. Great sounding OT in standard pentode mode, but I did not care for the tone in ultralinear mode.

[Reeltarded]

I hate that crap! UL ewwwwww

[M Fowler]

Oh UL is the way to go, clean up that power section, and rattle the windows

[Blackburn]

Okay I'm starting to get a picture of what UL is really... Funny, Mark. I guess you mean clean, clean, clean. I have Mercury's Albion clone in there now. When I was talking with Patrick, he called it the most 'Plexi' of the ones they offer. It certainly is! However, I'm not satisfied with this amp. May be tube selection, may be something else. Hopefully the OT will improve some of the things I don't care for. I'm not wiring for UL anyway...

[Blackburn]

David,

FWIW, I've used Mercury's A470-S offering in a 4xEL84 Rocket build. Great sounding OT in standard pentode mode, but I did not care for the tone in ultralinear mode.

Hey Dave, what else can you tell me about it? What exactly would you say the tone is like with a hifi tranny in a geetar amp? I hope it makes mine more together sounding when it's cranked up past 2 o'clock or so. I can't filter much more!

[selloutrr]

FWIW: my experience with hifi transformers in guitar amps.. They are very open sounding and overkill considering most speakers and cabinets have a natural roll off at 100hz and ~6khz. Taking away the bulk of the hifi tranformer's beneficial upper end. The down side to a hifi transformer it's very clear. So shitty playing in = louder shitty playing. It's one of the reasons the TW amps are not forever one. Where traditional guitar iron has a "tone" or EQ shaping that works with in the majority of the frequency limitations to give a balanced and more naturally blended tone.
I'm more of a fan of hifi tube amps for studio monitors, bass amps, and old synth modules with proper 4-way speaker systems.

[Blackburn]

FWIW: my experience with hifi transformers in guitar amps.. They are very open sounding and overkill considering most speakers and cabinets have a natural roll off at 100hz and ~6khz. Taking away the bulk of the hifi tranformer's beneficial upper end. The down side to a hifi transformer it's very clear. So shitty playing in = louder shitty playing. It's one of the reasons the TW amps are not forever one. Where traditional guitar iron has a "tone" or EQ shaping that works with in the majority of the frequency limitations to give a balanced and more naturally blended tone.
I'm more of a fan of hifi tube amps for studio monitors, bass amps, and old synth modules with proper 4-way speaker systems.

Interesting. I'm really looking forward to giving this thing a go to see if I dig it. I am hoping the tone gets clearer and think this may alleviate one or two of my dislikes about it as it sits. Even though this thing does crunch like a motha right now when dimed, I don't think this is what I'm after and I know Ken made the Rocket to be very different from its siblings... More hifi. I also need to obtain a different quad for her. I'll keep you guys posted on my quest.

[selloutrr]

The A-470 is a great OT, but it was not an OEM transformer for the rocket.

The bad news... No over the counter transformer is a direct rocket transformer. It was a custom order usually a prototype or ordered in pairs. This was the biggest reason for how few where built.

[Blackburn]

Yeah, I learned the only one with an alleged 'actual' Dynaco 470 was the prototype. The clones were supposedly not potted while the originals were. I'm curious if the original still sports it. I was told there is an audible difference, letting the wires rattle in there, but I doubt it's a deal breaker when it comes to tone. I think I remember reading on here about a Heyboer or two being done for Ken by the man himself. I'd assume this was a clone of the 470, unpotted, of course.

[selloutrr]

Heyboer made a couple prototypes for Ken's transformer guy.
Komet stuck a heyboer in Jillian (rocket) after she blew her OT. Sadly the owner is asking $52k for it. Hardly worth top dollar when it's only unique feature was destroyed.

I have Ken's CAD files for rocket OT ill take a look at how it differs in more detail. Once I figured out what it was and that it wasn't an off the shelf item. I located the manufactures, documented the amps and moved on.

I'm not 100% Amanda was a dynaco A-470. The notes date back to pre Amanda.

[Blackburn]

So sad to hear about the tragedy that struck Jillian. 52K is real wack given the circumstances. I wonder if one of her tubes shorted. Would be great if you could shed more light on her original OT from your notes. I get my OTs on Tuesday, so I'll be reporting back about my experience very soon after that. By the way, do you know what OT Marcy is sporting, and if so, care to share?

I remember reading about your exploits studying this stuff and a possible book soon. Sounds awesome, man. I love reading TW trivia.

Edit: Thanks for noticing my error, Red.

[redshark]

I think he wrote the rocket with the transformer problem was Jillian. Amanda as far as I know is still healthy. That was the first trainwreck I've ever heard and what a sound!!