Metropoulos Forum

Hello to everyone!
I'm Giulio from Italy.
I'm not new to electronic but I'm new in tube amps building.
I've seen a lot of videos and read a lot of threads and it doesn't look so difficult, only take care about safe because of the voltages.
I'd like to build the 100W plexi from MetroAmp and I'm looking for the components on European shops (for shipment and customs costs and time).
I've found about everything, the only doubts that I have are about wire and transformers.
Which gauge of hook-up wire do I need?
Last question (for the moment I hope) is about the transformers.
I'd really like to buy the Dagnall/Marstran ones but I find them only in the US... So I found few things on other EU sites:
Mains T:
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Ma ... 971_89_956

Output T:
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Ou ... models_166
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Ou ... 959HW_2286

Choke:
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Tr ... 04_220_809

I found also theese:
https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/produ ... -Watt.html
https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/produ ... -Watt.html
https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/produ ... -Watt.html
https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/produ ... Watts.html

They say they have no datasheet about the transformers but maybe the colours of the wires are known or I can measure the resistance/impedance of the coils...

About the choke here I have no idea:
https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/index ... hokes.html

On the TAD site they sell a 100W plexi kit that has the first main and output transformers and the scheme doesn't look so different from the Metroamp one...

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/Fil ... mplett.pdf
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/Fil ... r_2013.pdf

If someone could help me with the choice...

There isn't anyone that can help me?

I'm afraid that good transformers are intrinsic to a good amp (also sum of all parts). Get ok ones and you get ok amp, get good ones and you can have a good amp.

Best clones at the moment are Marstran, Metro and ****** with classic tone building a good (and much cheaper reputation).

The TAD ones are by Mojo and I have never tried them but personally go with what I know

Thanks for the reply.
But the transformers brands you said are impossible to find in EU...?

I found also INMADOUT as transformer brand. I also sent a mail to IG but I think they don't ship anymore...

cos000 wrote:Thanks for the reply.
But the transformers brands you said are impossible to find in EU...?

Which is why I bite the bullet and stump up the cash for a product I know will do what I want. I have bought duff transformers before and regretted it (that included recent Marshall offerings...........)

I-G has a good product but too many supply issues going on - for whatever reasons.

Afraid that it is that simple in my opinion.

Buy Marstran (or C/Merrem). Shipping isn't that expensive. I'd avoid tad

Mmmm...
I'll look for something...
What about this. From specs what do you think?

http://www.inmadout.com/download/pdf/TU34M100.pdf
http://www.inmadout.com/download/pdf/TU34M101.pdf
http://www.inmadout.com/download/pdf/TA34M100.pdf
http://www.inmadout.com/download/pdf/IMP_CM5.pdf

I've read that original 70s transformers were built badly (speaking in terms of construction: little wires sections, bad quality of the core material, etc.) and most of the replicas are made with all the actual technology so they are well made but sound different... Could it be?
In particular there was a man who wants to build a 2204 50W head so he found the build specs of the OT and contacted a transformers shop in order to build that. They said him they would build it 10 times better than from the specs for a price of a Marstran/Drake one.
He said he wants exactly like the specs so he got it for like a third of the price and he said it sounds awesome...

And what's the difference between self lead C1998 and normal? The self lead has the leads that comes out directly from the windings without joins?

Thanks so much for the patience.

This is not HI FI! You don't need the "BETTER" ones, you need the right sounding ones!!!
You have been given the right answer (Neil, Roe)

stef wrote:This is not HI FI! You don't need the "BETTER" ones, you need the right sounding ones!!!
You have been given the right answer (Neil, Roe)

cos000 wrote: They said him they would build it 10 times better than from the specs for a price of a Marstran/Drake one.
He said he wants exactly like the specs so he got it for like a third of the price and he said it sounds awesome...

I think he gets our drift!

Unfortunately I, personally, have not got any experience of those other OTs that you have listed, I tend to play it safe now and buy OTs that I know will come up with the goods. If you are cool with experimenting and laying your cash down on the line for the good of the forum to report back on how it went then give it a go.

Especially with the PT, you want something that is not an "upgrade", like Mercury Magnets. Inefficiency is the key!

The dog
the women
the walnut tree
the more you beat her
the better she be.

So like transformers what you need is something that electronically is crap but the whole bad specs color the sound and make it the great sound of theese amps.
So I think I'd go for Stad Up Metroamp ones...
What's the main difference between self lead or normal C1998?
I have only to find a 4 holes Choke.

Not crap - just not 'over-engineered'................

The self lead is said to be closer to the original late 60s early 70s OT that we all like

Ok
And what about Classictone ones? Just to know...

Giulio, I don't know if your interested but I've been meaning to sell a used c1998 metro OT and a brand new T2562 C M****n stand up PT, just never got round to putting it in the classifieds. Lmk if your interested and I'll work out a price.