I prefer A, it has the most clarity. B and C sound very similar and a bit dull relative to A. Although, this may be preferable in a full mix with other instruments fighting for the same frequencies. It would be interesting to see how they compare with a spectrum analyzer.
My preference is definitely A, then C, with B in last place. A is the most open-sounding. B and C sound similar, but B is definitely has more closed-in highs than C.
Valid questions. A frequency sweep shows all of the transformers to be completely flat, however this is deceiving, as you can clearly tell with your ears. Not only is a line output (which would drive such test) much lower impedance than an electromagnetic pickup, the output impedance is also flat while that of a pickup is curved. There is also the issue of transient response. I could attempt to model it all, but in the end I believe the ears are a better test. Transformers are one of those things that seem simple but get more and more complicated the deeper you look at them.
C is the best to my taste, reveals the Pbass sound, sounds deep. A sounds good, more ‘neutral’. B sounds hollow to me ‘cheaper’ thanks for the content. Subscribed
Hey! Really enjoyed this video and look forward to checking out more! I've. been sourcing and having a tech friend build wolfboxes for years now and selling them to my other Nashville Bass player friends. I have to say, Ed Wolfson was very specific in his open letter online whenever that was posted(I'm not sure what happened to it). He said after trying multiple different transformers available to him, he found that both the A 11J and A 12J were the two best options for his Direct Injection boxes. He never talked about A9J. I've also seen a lot of folks selling "Wolfboxes" with other triad models like the A57J etc. If it's all about the transformer, shouldn't we be talking about the tranformers he used? All of this to say, maybe I can get you a box with an actual A11J or A 12J and you could compare that to the A 9j? it's been harder and harder to find those transformers so I'd love to find an alternative that's just as good!
I'd be happy to shoot a vid comparing an A11J or A12J to the A9J, maybe with the T-L20 I released as well. If you would be interested in sending me something to demo, you can reach out to me here: www.alderaudio.com/contact to get a conversation going. On another note, I'll also just say the A57J would make a terrible DI transformer. The ratio is all wrong to match impedance, and it does not appear that it would be able to handle a high impedance source like a bass pickup. The specs on the A9J are the best alternative to the A11J or A12J that is from that line. I have made an assumption that it is a good representation of the time, but of course, I'd love to get a chance to shoot it out vs. the original wolfbox version.
Hi back in the 80s before the prices of vintage auto skyrocketed I had a few tube integrated amps using 6bq5 output tubes and I found the sansui amps had a special sweet sound compared to the American made Scott amp that I had later on
The problem is semantics, better automatically means that it is objective, while this is purely subjective. Clean interface preamps are objectively better than a Neve preamp in any measurable way, but subjectively almost everyone would choose the Neve sound over the clean preamp.
Yep, I noticed that, too. It would be interesting to see the new vs the old, but I would prefer he show a Waves “Frequency Analyzer” snap shot so we can confirm what we feel our ears are hearing. An Oscilloscope to show the distortion would be great, too.
Agree with your conclusions. However, the way you have pursued the answer to the question relies on a quite subjective insight. Would be great if you could compare their frequency response characteristics, for example - feed each with a same sweep signal and compare it with their respective outputs. Could you do it for us, please?
To quote Bill Whitlock, the former president of Jensen transformers, "There are a lot of people who are suspicious of measurements because they don't correlate with what we hear." That was a comment he made directly in regard to transformers in an AES interview. It is very difficult to capture in measurements the complete effects we can hear. In a frequency sweep on my signal generator, these transformers are all completely flat and indistinguishable. However, the output impedance of the generator is far from a bass guitar, which is very important. The bass pickup output impedance also varies itself across the frequency spectrum. It gets quite complicated. I find this simple hybrid approach of both close listening and basic electrical analysis to be helpful way to cut through the complexity.
@@alderaudiotry to record guitar through these transformers and then re-amp using high gain amplifier, or use amp modeling plugin. Transformers linearity and harmonic distortion matters in this case
To some degree I think blind test are useless. The ‘use your ears’ concept is fine… but listen for what? Then I start my research all over after leaving this channel… Not trying to cause trouble it’s just frustrating…
This is the 10th horribly-sounding video I’ve watched this week created by a ‘pro audio’ guy. This one even has an utterly shitty image as well. Should I listen to anything you say here?
I prefer A, it has the most clarity. B and C sound very similar and a bit dull relative to A. Although, this may be preferable in a full mix with other instruments fighting for the same frequencies. It would be interesting to see how they compare with a spectrum analyzer.
Thats cool how you could hear a roll off of the highs on "B". I agree with you.
My preference is definitely A, then C, with B in last place. A is the most open-sounding. B and C sound similar, but B is definitely has more closed-in highs than C.
Ooh those so cool mcintosch unity coupled output transformers, best thing to ever happen to audio!!!
Great vid! 😊
My 7:03 guess:
A Modern budget
B Vintage
C Modern industry standard
B was my favorite. Mellow and nice.
I liked "B" a bit softer but had more character.
Great Video. It looks like Triad Magnetics are remaking these!! Currious to hear if there is a difference? Mouser electronics has an A-9j in stock.
A couple of things: Why not show a frequency sweep graph, and also a null test? Audio transformers are basic components, and are easily tested.
Valid questions. A frequency sweep shows all of the transformers to be completely flat, however this is deceiving, as you can clearly tell with your ears. Not only is a line output (which would drive such test) much lower impedance than an electromagnetic pickup, the output impedance is also flat while that of a pickup is curved. There is also the issue of transient response. I could attempt to model it all, but in the end I believe the ears are a better test. Transformers are one of those things that seem simple but get more and more complicated the deeper you look at them.
Which one is which?
A is A9J, B is standard modern, C is budget modern.
How can sound quality be realised listening on viewers digital medium?
i'm thinking about do a Neve one
C is the best to my taste, reveals the Pbass sound, sounds deep. A sounds good, more ‘neutral’. B sounds hollow to me ‘cheaper’ thanks for the content. Subscribed
Sept 9/2024
I had to do a couple run throughs but _I strongly prefer_ A.
The tonality is richer and it "sings" more than the other two.
Hey! Really enjoyed this video and look forward to checking out more! I've. been sourcing and having a tech friend build wolfboxes for years now and selling them to my other Nashville Bass player friends. I have to say, Ed Wolfson was very specific in his open letter online whenever that was posted(I'm not sure what happened to it). He said after trying multiple different transformers available to him, he found that both the A 11J and A 12J were the two best options for his Direct Injection boxes. He never talked about A9J. I've also seen a lot of folks selling "Wolfboxes" with other triad models like the A57J etc. If it's all about the transformer, shouldn't we be talking about the tranformers he used? All of this to say, maybe I can get you a box with an actual A11J or A 12J and you could compare that to the A 9j? it's been harder and harder to find those transformers so I'd love to find an alternative that's just as good!
I'd be happy to shoot a vid comparing an A11J or A12J to the A9J, maybe with the T-L20 I released as well. If you would be interested in sending me something to demo, you can reach out to me here: www.alderaudio.com/contact to get a conversation going.
On another note, I'll also just say the A57J would make a terrible DI transformer. The ratio is all wrong to match impedance, and it does not appear that it would be able to handle a high impedance source like a bass pickup. The specs on the A9J are the best alternative to the A11J or A12J that is from that line. I have made an assumption that it is a good representation of the time, but of course, I'd love to get a chance to shoot it out vs. the original wolfbox version.
I love tubes. Tube preamps and tube mics ❤❤
What is the industry standard transformer?
TA: Impedance was more linear over a wider freq. response. TB, full response dropouts evident. TC, even more.
Hi back in the 80s before the prices of vintage auto skyrocketed I had a few tube integrated amps using 6bq5 output tubes and I found the sansui amps had a special sweet sound compared to the American made Scott amp that I had later on
I like A the best, then C, and B the least
The problem is semantics, better automatically means that it is objective, while this is purely subjective.
Clean interface preamps are objectively better than a Neve preamp in any measurable way, but subjectively almost everyone would choose the Neve sound over the clean preamp.
You seem like more of a Van Gogh guy.
This is fucking excellent
I have a *very slight* preference for transformer B, but it's so subtle as to be negligible.
I need to put my headphones on!
Triad has re-released these transformers, it would be interesting to compare the old to the new.
Yep, I noticed that, too. It would be interesting to see the new vs the old, but I would prefer he show a Waves “Frequency Analyzer” snap shot so we can confirm what we feel our ears are hearing. An Oscilloscope to show the distortion would be great, too.
Agree with your conclusions. However, the way you have pursued the answer to the question relies on a quite subjective insight. Would be great if you could compare their frequency response characteristics, for example - feed each with a same sweep signal and compare it with their respective outputs. Could you do it for us, please?
To quote Bill Whitlock, the former president of Jensen transformers, "There are a lot of people who are suspicious of measurements because they don't correlate with what we hear." That was a comment he made directly in regard to transformers in an AES interview.
It is very difficult to capture in measurements the complete effects we can hear. In a frequency sweep on my signal generator, these transformers are all completely flat and indistinguishable. However, the output impedance of the generator is far from a bass guitar, which is very important. The bass pickup output impedance also varies itself across the frequency spectrum. It gets quite complicated. I find this simple hybrid approach of both close listening and basic electrical analysis to be helpful way to cut through the complexity.
@@alderaudiotry to record guitar through these transformers and then re-amp using high gain amplifier, or use amp modeling plugin. Transformers linearity and harmonic distortion matters in this case
So there is magic dust inside
couldn't hear a difference that i could definitively say wasn't due to my imagination. but it sounds different in the room than through youtube.
I liked B the best. A wasn't "bassy" enough for my taste and C sounded like it was trying to imitate B. It got the basics but failed at the nuances.
"A" sounds like what a guitar player thinks a bass DI should sound like... I prefer "B" and I could live with "C".
shots fired :) what's wrong with A? Won't that glowing midrange around 1k translate best within a full mix?
I'm surprised, I liked C a lot, haha.
若以A和B比較。確認spec. Bass A為A-9j type 我認為.
Great vid Tyler looking forward to the next!
that why i got 3 moogs synth ngl no cap
To some degree I think blind test are useless. The ‘use your ears’ concept is fine… but listen for what? Then I start my research all over after leaving this channel…
Not trying to cause trouble it’s just frustrating…
for me shure C wins
This is the 10th horribly-sounding video I’ve watched this week created by a ‘pro audio’ guy. This one even has an utterly shitty image as well. Should I listen to anything you say here?