Transformer coupled / Capacitor coupled

Thanks peter:

>"There is a world of difference between the transformer volume control that Thorsten is talking about in this article and the use of transformers in the output of a pre-amplifier"

No argument from me. Some of discussion was going to passives and what are essentially volume controls which are a perfectly legit way to go in some systems. I put the word "pre" in parenthesis in my post for that reason. It is obviously not a preamp in any normal sense of the word other than it "pre"cedes the amp. I was just trying to point to one take on using transformers in that part of the chain in one sentence.

You folks make nice stuff.

Cheers
I remain,

Hi Clueless,

My recollection of the effects of capictors vs transformers during my radar repair days was that if you want to alter the shape of a waveform, eg, a square wave (which may appear simple, but is rather complex) use a capacitor and if you want to pass it on unaltered use a transformer. We took great joy in taking a nice square wave and converting it into a saw tooth waveform by adding more or less capacitance in either series or parallel: shape-shifting if you will. Music as rendered by an analog electical waveform is extremely complex where the slightest alteration in voltage is the essence of the artistic intelligence. When I think of how a capcitor can make a square into a triangle, I am little surprised at my reality. Which is, I prefer transformer coupling to capacitive coupling: the ear is the finsl determinant.

Materials have a profound effect on both sides of the equation. With respect to transformers, core saturation, hysteresis, relationship of the windings in the primary to the secondary...and I guess that is where the art of design begins.

Just my $.02, Jim.

My father who ownes a Audio Research Ref Two and just got back from listenig to one of the transformer coupled pre-amps at JC Audio. He walked in the door and told me he was going to sell his preamp and for me to sell my pre-amp. He couldn't believe the difference it made. There must be something to this transformer coupling. He has hardly listened to his Reference since re hooking it up after bringing it back. I am heading over there tomorrow and will advise. A friend of ours just told us about this cool site. Wow is it fun.... I haven't slept in two days just reading all the cool stuff.