pacific output trans

[jeffkt]

I see pacific has changed back to 6.6 k from the 7.5 k incorrect impedance on the express output transformer

[jeffkt]

when I get it I will measure the impedance to see what it is

[Vince-]

I built an express earlier this year using their red series set. It included the 7.5k ot and I immediately started hearing from other builders that it was incorrect, and should be 6.6k.
Of course , with el34 tubes I ended up having to use the 16 ohm tap with an 8 ohm speaker and the OT worked fine but its disappointing that I ended up with the incorrect value.
I'd be curious to see what Pacific are saying to past customers who bought the incorrect impedence. I emailed them asking what they might plan to do for past customers..
I assume , nothing, but I'll chime in once I hear something..

[dblgun]

From what I understand Pacific asserts that the OT's they ended up producing for Ken were not 6.6k. From what was said, Chris Merren was asked by Ken to wind some OT's to replace the A3801 Stancor. Merren produced with some prototype transformers and Pacific was to produce the new transformers to these specs. In that event, I don't know why Pacific would have ever produced the 6.6k transformer down the road. The original/early production OT's I think sound very good, the "reissued" transformers, not so much.

[Vince-]

Ok . I thought the original Pacific it was a 6.6k. I'm new to trainwrecks and assumed the stancor was 6.6 and so were the early Pacifics.
I do like the amp I built but when I saw your post I thought jeez. I spent all that money on tbe wrong ot. I guess I've got some reading to do.
And I'm also wondering if I'd find any audible diffence between a 6.6k and 7.5k anyway...?

[dblgun]

I think it's likely that the original Pacific OT's were 6.6k but have nothing solid to base this on. I'm not aware of any "mapping" of a Pacific OT from an original Trainwreck to determine it's output resistance/impedance. RJ Guitars here had Pacific, and others, produce some transformers which he offered for sale and I believe they were 6.6k. He did some significant testing of many of the offerings and potential OT options in a thread here. I have linked the thread below. It's very interesting reading and many here participated in the conversation.

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24638

I think that there would be an audible difference between the 6.6k and 7.5k but some may prefer the results of one or the other. This wouldn't necessarily mean one was the wrong OT. Of the amps that Ken made that I have heard, my favorites have had Pacific transformers. I have tinkered with the majority of the transformers in RJ's thread and I still have no real opinion other than no two OT's sound the same to me! That being said my tests are far from scientific. Great topic for discussion and sharing though.

[Vince-]

That's good to hear. I really love the sound of the pacific red 7.5 ot. I also built one out of a hammond ao29 . I melted the stock , tiny ot haha and replaced it with a hammond 5f6a ot. All 3 sounded great although I've never played through any other wreck, original or clone so I can't help but wonder how close im getting.
I may convert a hot rod deluxe some time as well but that's 5 or 6 builds away.

I

[RockinRocket]

The original/early production OT's I think sound very good, the "reissued" transformers, not so much.

"The original/early production OTS I think sound very good"
Can you explain exactly the ones you are referring too? The Pacifics in the original Trainwreck amps from the 90s till Kens passing or the accurate reissues Pacific brought back for ruffly 5 years 2014 through 2019 ish? Or are the "reissued" ones you are referring to the current red series?

[jeffkt]

i had an original Express it had a pacific 6.6 k output. the Stancor's Ken used were 6.6k. Glenn K. measured his wreck transformer it was also 6.6K (the one with the Pacific)
6.6 k is the correct impedance.
i have one of the 7.5 k transformers from Pacific it sounds like shit.
looks like i will have to eat that one I should not have bought it

[dblgun]

I would be referring to the Pacifics Ken used into the early 2000's. We had a few Pacifics OT's around 2010-2011 that I tried in our "mule". I remember being super stoked at trying them but preferred others in the long run. Ingrid and Glens Orphan Annie both have Pacific transformers and are very nice. I have a pretty decent number of OT variants including an older Pacific 11415. I don't know how accurate the reissues from 2014-2019 are and have no experience with the new overseas "red series".

[RockinRocket]

I would be referring to the Pacifics Ken used into the early 2000's. We had a few Pacifics OT's around 2010-2011 that I tried in our "mule". I remember being super stoked at trying them but preferred others in the long run. Ingrid and Glens Orphan Annie both have Pacific transformers and are very nice. I have a pretty decent number of OT variants including an older Pacific 11415. I don't know how accurate the reissues from 2014-2019 are and have no experience with the new overseas "red series".

Did you ever get to play Ingrid or Orphin Annie? Dan of 65 amps demo of Ingrid is amazing. Hands on experience is different than Youtube experience. What's the story of this older Pacific 11415?

The reissues for 2014ish to 2019 was made possible from trhe owner of Pacifics son (forget name) and had found all of Kens old line cards about 20 or so and it was determend the liverpool never saw a 5k5 (?) impedance as Pacific only 6k6 was produced. So If ken ordered the same part# in that time frame thats what Pacific would have sent Ken. I still have 6 sets!

[Vince-]

After buying the 7.5 OT I contacted Pacific in hopes they'd provide one with the correct impedence.
Let's see how much they care..

I sent off an email and didn't get a response so I sent another this morning:


Hello there. I think I previously sent an email to you regarding my purchase. But I think I may have sent it to the wrong recipient so I am reaching out again.
I built a Trainwreck Express amp for someone and ordered your Red Series output and power transformers.
It has been brought to my attention that the impedence of the output transformer was incorrect.
I verified with a number of other builders , youtubers and original Trainwreck owners that the correct impedence was 6.6k .
Pacific provided the original builder of these iconic amps with output transformers. They were 6.6k, and so were some reissiues you.sold in the past.. The one I bought was 7.5k and I had trusted that you were manufacturing them the way you did for the original builder.
It has also been brought to my attention that you have corrected this error. I verified this by looking at your spec sheet that now shows the correct 6.6k impedence.
As I'm sure you know this affects the sound of the amp.
I'm sure as a very respected transformer manufacturer you will be interested in rectifying this as I am.
The person I built this for is understandably upset and wants the issiue corrected.
I hope you will be able to send me the correct transformer quickly as I do not want this damaging my reputation.

Thanks in advance

[dblgun]

I would be referring to the Pacifics Ken used into the early 2000's. We had a few Pacifics OT's around 2010-2011 that I tried in our "mule". I remember being super stoked at trying them but preferred others in the long run. Ingrid and Glens Orphan Annie both have Pacific transformers and are very nice. I have a pretty decent number of OT variants including an older Pacific 11415. I don't know how accurate the reissues from 2014-2019 are and have no experience with the new overseas "red series".

Did you ever get to play Ingrid or Orphin Annie? Dan of 65 amps demo of Ingrid is amazing. Hands on experience is different than Youtube experience. What's the story of this older Pacific 11415?

The reissues for 2014ish to 2019 was made possible from trhe owner of Pacifics son (forget name) and had found all of Kens old line cards about 20 or so and it was determend the liverpool never saw a 5k5 (?) impedance as Pacific only 6k6 was produced. So If ken ordered the same part# in that time frame thats what Pacific would have sent Ken. I still have 6 sets!

No, I have never been in the same room with Ingrid or Orphan Annie! I have had the opportunity to play a couple of Kens amps some time ago and they were very nice. My understanding is that the 11415 was an OT Pacific produced early on used in the Rocket. I believe it came out of my brothers stash when he passed. He considered himself as much more refined so was deep into Rocket/Liverpool builds!

[jeffkt]

Good luck I have 2 I would like to return

[jeffkt]

Glenn K is a very good friend of mine I have listen to him play Orphan Annie for around 30 years. He called Ken and was able to have him build me an express . I should have never sold it .