Man, I can almost see why people pay up for Mercury Magnetics.
I go to
TubeDepot for a JTM45 OT, just to compare vs. the
Merren I actually plan to buy for my next build which is a Plexi; I see:
"Built to the specifications of the original JTM 45 Output Transformer this tranny will give you the tone that factory replacements could never deliver. Proudly made in the USA. 4,8,16 Ohm Taps."
NO datasheet, NO Primary Impedance info, NO manufacturer name. NO reference to any tube types.
I go to
Heyboer, I get literally NOTHING except a link to Mojotone.
I go to
Mojotone, I see:
"British 45 Style Output Transformer. (Direct Replacement for the Marshall® JTM45) Output Taps: 2/4/8/16 ohm. X Mount with 2-1/2"" x 2-7/16" 4-hole mounting centers".
At least there is a 1-page black & white datasheet showing dimensions and indicating 3.4k CT primary. It has 2, 4, 8, and 16 Ohm secondaries. NO manufacturer name. NO reference to any tube types or anything else.
I go to
Classictone, I see:
"This is a great output transformer for JTM45** style amps. It features 4/8/16 Ohm taps with a buried 100V tap. A great paper layer wound output transformer with 8K Ohm primary for use with KT66 tubes. It is also great for general replacement, new OEM amplifier builds and D.I.Y. amp projects."
There is a 1-page black & white datasheet showing dimensions and indicating 8k CT primary. It has 4, 8, 16 Ohm secondaries with an unused 100V line tap. NO reference to much of anything else.
I go to
Marstran, I see a list of transformer model numbers with tiny little pictures that can't be clicked, with basic little wiring diagrams, most of which are black and white, omit primary impedances and none of which show dimensions.
I go to
Hammond, I see commercial-grade high quality information on all their product lines, and in the Push Pull Tube Output Transformers section:
"Designed for push-pull tube output circuits. Enclosed (shielded), 4 slot, above chassis Type "X" mounting. Frequency response 30 Hz. to 30 Khz. at full rated power (+/- 1 db max. - ref. 1 Khz) minimum. Insulated flexible leads 8" min. Typical applications - Push-Pull: triode, Ultra-Linear pentode, pentode and tetrode connected audio output. Due to the unique interleaving of the windings BOTH secondary windings must be engaged to meet specifications (see hook-up diagrams below)."
I see, for every single model: RMS Watts, Primary Impedance, Max DC per side, secondary impedance(s). I see suggested tube types for push-pull from 2 tubes through 8 tubes. I see all the dimensions and schematic/hookup data. This is useful technical information that helps me make an INFORMED decision. However, I balance this against the lukewarm things I generally see in the amp-builder online communities regarding the tone of Hammond iron. (disclosure, my current "Blues Briefcase" build uses a Hammond OT but it's not finished yet so I have not heard any Hammond iron personally).
I go to
Mercury Magnetics, I look at the O45RS-L get a complete 2-page color spec sheet showing 4 possible primaries (9k, 8k, 6.6k and UL, not that I would use the UL), and 4, 8, and 16 Ohm secondaries. I get the original Marshall part it was based on (RadioSpares De-Luxe Audio). I see all the wire colors, in color. I get mounting info -- horizontal or vertical. I get recommended tube types (KT66, 6L6, 5881, EL34, KT77, EL84, 6V6, EL84/6BQ5, 6550, KT88, KT90). I get a power range: "up to 50% more power than the original manufacturer spec." I get a great history of how this transformer was developed, and a brief history of Marshall amps and musicians who used this transformer in historical amps (they did misspell
"John Mayhall" but what am I, the spelling police?). I even find out this tranny was used in the earliest AC-30s. This is what I appreciate, this helps me make an INFORMED decision. And there are a lot of high quality builders using it. Is it overpriced hype? I don't know. But at least they tell you the information you need to know just to spec out a component properly.
https://www.mercurymagnetics.com/2018/w ... 45RS-L.pdf