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View Full Version : When building a two channel poweramp, could one use a single power transformer?


phyrexia
05-04-2006, 03:21 PM
When building a two channel poweramp, could one use a single power transformer?

I am admittedly inexperienced with amp building, or building anything electronic, really. Still working on that.

But in, for instance, a Mesa 50/50 are there two PTs or just one? I understand you'd need two OTs but I'm unsure about the power transformer topic.

Thanks,
Victor

RoboPimp
05-04-2006, 03:24 PM
I'm pretty sure one PT that will supply enough juice for both channels is all you need. Someone who knows for sure will have to chip in though.

phyrexia
05-04-2006, 03:28 PM
So theoretically if I was running two 50 watt EL34 channels then a 100 watt JCM or JMP or SL PT would be enough. Sounds good.

Anybody else care to chime in?

isaac42
05-04-2006, 03:54 PM
Sure, as long as it provides enough current for both channels. In fact, that was the way it was usually done, back before dual mono became the standard. Cuts down on the weight significantly, having only three transformers instead of four.

Sir H C
05-04-2006, 04:28 PM
That is how Marshall has done it and most everyone else who makes stereo amplifiers. Pretty much the only down side is that if you will get more crosstalk than if you use separate transformers, especially if you wish to have some sag in the supply. So if for instance you wanted to have one side for each guitarist in the band, you will hear some of the other guy.

basseuphoria
05-04-2006, 08:36 PM
works fine as long as you have a big enough x-former. crosstalk can be a problem but if the filtering is good enough it shouldn't be a problem. (ie, power supply caps and supply config.)