More unobtanium...

[Alistair]

Can someone explain this to me?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tango-X-3-5S-Output-transformer-tube-Power-amp-300b-PX-25-50-Rarely-/251010678678?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a7166ff96#ht_4541wt_1398

[rick]

explain it ?
unlikely

but if you want em you want em

[Alastair Reynolds]

Hmmmm, output transformers for single ended class A triode amps.
The Hi-fi nutters will pay big bucks for these, just like they'll pay ridiculous prices for a 1930's Western Electric 300B triode pair to go with them, or a pair of RCA single plate 2A3 triodes from the same era.
Still, the sound of 8 glorious watts of Class A triode amplification is pretty damned satisfying on an efficient pair of loudspeakers, even 4 Watts per channel from a 2A3 or 45 based triode amp on a pair of Klipshorns will amaze.
Super simple 2 stage triode amps with no feedback network....warm

[Alistair]

I guess it just amazes me that if something is going for that much cash, someone wouldn't tool up to re-do it.
It makes Sowters look a lot cheaper in comparison.

[Sorr]

They are a different beast to Sowter who generally use M6 steel and Mu metal cores.
The Japanese are into different core (and more expensive) materials.
And different winding techniques, different insulation, different lamination thickness plus its a potted transformer.
Makes for different sounding transformers, not necessarily better.
I serviced a NZ made amp that used 300B's driving Tango FC-300's and I think at the builder paid US$1k each for them.
Interestingly it also used some Sowter interstage transformers rather than Japanese ones.
The best 300B amp I've head so far.

Occasionally I make some Line Amps using custom US made transformers with M4 steel and recently had the same transformers made with 2/3 M4 and 1/3 M3 steel
The ones with the M3 steel had improved micro level detail resolution and better low bass over the 100% M4 laminations.
Which is handy as they were pretty pricey!

Still those Tango X-3 are very expensive!