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It’s in our name. Trafo means transformer and Trafomatic Audio specializes in home audio music machines with transformers in their signal paths. We prefer vacuum tubes to transistors for their tone, textures and organic presentation. Thus we use tubes in the input stages, as drivers, as output devices and often also as mains rectifiers. For circuit topologies, we believe that simpler is better and that a well engineered circuit should work properly without negative feedback. Then negative feedback might be applied very sparingly to optimize specific performance parameters, not to correct intrinsic errors. In tube audio, it’s not the rarity or price of the tube which dictates superior performance. It’s the quality of what we call the iron. This term covers all the mains transformers, power supply chokes and interstage and output transformers. Unlike window dressing of fancy looks and shiny chrome, the quality of the iron becomes the make it or break it proposition for all tube audio. In this specialized sector, real advances are not derived from exotic and expensive transformer core materials. Real advances come from how well the winding geometry of each transformer is adapted to its particular application and circuit juncture. Ultimately the quality of tube hifi is a direct reflection on the circuit designer's transformer winding craft. And that is the crux of the matter and our particular distinction. Most tube audio designers are not transformer experts. They rely on generic off-the-shelf iron because they can’t wind their own. We custom design each and every transformer that goes into Trafomatic Audio products and wind it ourselves. It’s the polar opposite to the one size fits all approach.All our Experience Range models demonstrate how good performance with tube gear need not be expensive. The secret to the success of each of our models rests firmly on their transformers. Our reliable and quiet circuits are well proven and executed but the special magic is under the covers and in the iron. So we always spend your money where it matters most; on superior purpose designed transformers. Our reference amplifiers show how additionally available funds are best applied not to the exotic looks of unusual and discontinued tubes but to heavier and more advanced iron. In our parallel single-ended 300B monos for example, we run seven transformers per channel - an interstage transformer to eliminate coupling capacitors, a massive 10kg double C-core output transformer that won’t saturate even into very demanding bass transients nor curtail treble extension, three toroidal filter chokes for absolutely ripple-free quiet power and two power transformers.We also supply custom transformers for highly specialized audio projects involving extreme voltages; design and build tube electronics for other brands; and satisfy customers with special commission projects. As one of those customers put it: “My Trafomatic Audio Reference One 2A3 monos are indeed the most natural and sentimentally human intensifiers of emotion I have heard regardless of cost. After 27 years of daily avocation, this is my final system. And this is how it shall remain." Products: |