PT shopping

[gary sanders]

Who has the best deal on a good PP 6V6ish power transformer?

[ToneMerc]

Who has the best deal on a good PP 6V6ish power transformer?

Ok, define "best deal" and the style of transformer that you are looking for. Are you looking for a custom or stock unit?

TM

[selloutrr]

if you know your secondary and heater voltages, amperage, size, mounting style.
ebay is an easy way to kick up cheap iron.
You may have to add length to leads and be comfortable metering leads to determine what they are.

[Cliff Schecht]

For 6L6/EL34 suitable PT's I usually pay anywhere from $20-25 for used vintage iron. A lot of times I get the best deals by buying things with higher than normal voltage and using extra circuits to knock down the extra B+ or I just get lucky. By getting lucky I mean I'm getting a transformer that requires no extra voltage dropping circuitry (Zeners, BJT's or resistors) but since others are usually looking for this same iron, you will pay more usually.

For example I recently bought 5 used PT's from Dynaman for $125 shipped. Three of them are 800VCT with anywhere from 200mA to 400mA B+ current and lotsa heater current available, one is 570VCT with only 12V heaters and a 5V tap and another I think is higher than 800VCT. All of these are useless to a lot of tube guys because the B+ will be over 550V (closer to 600V with SS rectifier) but I can knock this down to whatever I want with only a handful of extra parts and very little extra room. The 570VCT with 12V heaters is going in a 5F6A build with the 6L6 heaters in series. A bit of extra fuss to get the PT to work but in the end I am saving a ton of money going this route.

Then again doing all of this requires knowledge about the circuits and the power BJT/MOSFET and Zener diodes will add up in cost. Luckily I have a big collection of both HV power transistors and any Zener value one could want so this isn't such a big deal for me. Gotta do what you can to keep this hobby affordable!

For good quality USA made iron at a good price I usually go for Magnetics Components. Triodestore sells them but I've never bought through them, only stuff from forum members and once or twice on ebay. I recall some people having a negative experience with Triodestore but there is another place that sells Mag Comp iron as well now, maybe others will chime in with who they are.

[ToneMerc]

but there is another place that sells Mag Comp iron as well now, maybe others will chime in with who they are.

Amp Parts Direct, located in FL.

[labb]

Musical Power Supplies is about as inexpensive as you will find if they have one that fits your design. Hard to beat Magnetic Components. I have bought from Triode Electronics three times and never had a problem.