Community: Message List - What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:24:51 GMT

Holy crap - I just posted the link on March 1st!

We're dooooomed!

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:21:58 GMT

Wow, this is scary, the vendor's website is gone. When I posted the part info last September, they had a website with some basic content, nothing like specs or anything, but they had a web presence. Now it's gone. I wonder if this means the company went out of business, which leads me to worry that we may not have many options for replacement parts when existing stock dries up!

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:29:07 GMT

I would certainly buy some backups.

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:50:05 GMT

Cool. Please let us know if you're somehow able to get ahold of one of these. I'd like to buy a backup given all the issues we've had here. These things are very simple to replace, just a few screws and connectors. I was hoping maybe the vendor had a quality issue with a limited date code range, but given the others who have had blown transformers on newly purchased amps, I'm thinking we're all at risk, even those of us who have had theirs replaced recently.

Also I'm curious if anyone has approached Mercury for a higher quality replacement?

Finally, having some background in electronics and repair, I'm thinking the cause of these transformers going out has nothing to do with amp design, using attenuators, switching topologies, etc. I think these things fail because the windings are not properly coated at the factory, leading to breakdown of the insulation over time due to heat. When mine failed, it took out a breaker in the house. The primary side was completely shorted.

If Line 6 were serious about resolving this issue, they'd be getting these failed transformers back to the vendor for failure analysis. Also, they'd be working with an alternate vendor to use while this vendor gets their process in order. I suspect that neither has happened, but then again I wouldn't have access to information to prove otherwise.

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:12:25 GMT

Yes, this is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks!

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:59:09 GMT

I listed the DT50 power transformer vendor and part number in this thread:

http://line6.com/support/message/392723#392723

Hope that helps!

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:22:18 GMT

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just sit tight.

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 22:51:24 GMT

To add to that, I know the power tranformers are quite special units as I understand it, because of the nature of the DT power amps having to switch modes, this means there are some extra voltage taps. My advice to you is that if you have an issue, a Line 6 service centre will be able to fix your amp for quite a few years to come so I wouldn't worry too much about it at this stage. Maybe in 10 years time if you can't get a new unit, you can always have a transformer company rewind the transformer you already have. That's what some people do with really old tranny's that blow and can't be replaced. Works well on vintage amps!

Cheers

Rowbi

Re: What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:52:27 GMT

The transformer some folks are having issues with is the power transformer, not the output transformer....

If you want to get good transformers for your amp, call Mercury Magnetics...They will cost you double, but about as good as you can get...

My guess is about $400 for power and $200-$300 on the output depending...It could go much higher...You could buy another amp for what these trannys will cost...

What output transformer comes with the DT50 (or DT25)?

support@line6.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:29:37 GMT

I feel the way most people have said they feel about the DT50. I love the amp, and I want to keep it for a long time.

So, even if I haven't experienced a blown transformer yet, I'd like to know if I can prevent any collateral damage to other parts of the amp by replacing the output transformer with a better (more reliable) unit before the stock transformer goes bad.

What are the specs of the transformer that ships with the DT50?
What are the specs of the transformer that ships with the DT25?
What alternative transformers are available?
Which available transformers either sound better or are more reliable than the stockunit?
How much would the new transformer cost?

There are many reasons to take the amp to a recommended service center for work of this kind. I have an electrical engineering degree, but very little practical experience with electronics of this kind. So, I probably won't do this myself.

But, either way I'd rather have this information before taking the amp in for service. I wouldn't want the transformer replaced with another unit that has similar problems.

I know some will say "if it's not broke, don't fix it.". But, I think we all will benefit from this information before good things go bad.

Thanks,

Cass