GK 400RB II - UK supplier Toroidal Transformer?

[nick]

Hi All,

I'm after a reasonably priced toroidal transformer to retrofit a 110v GK 400RB series II, that I recently bought from the States.
After initially quoting approx. £65 plus VAT on the phone, Polar Audio have now emailed me a revised quote for £186!!

Could anybody please advise a decent reasonably priced alternative supplier?

Many thanks in advance for any advice
Nick

Edited August 4, 2013 by nick

[casapete]

[url="http://www.blselectronics.co.uk/"]http://www.blselectronics.co.uk/[/url] This may be worth a try.

[nick]

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1375782785' post='2165425']
[url="http://www.blselectronics.co.uk/"]http://www.blselectronics.co.uk/[/url] This may be worth a try.
[/quote]

Many thanks Casapete, will give them a try - gotta be cheaper than the price GK have quoted me!
Cheers Nick

[Phil Starr]

If it is a standard voltage [url="http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Power/115-230V-Toroidal-Transformers-Dual-Primary-82719"]http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Power/115-230V-Toroidal-Transformers-Dual-Primary-82719[/url]

[The fasting showman]

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1375859527' post='2166455']
If it is a standard voltage [url="http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Power/115-230V-Toroidal-Transformers-Dual-Primary-82719"]http://www.rapidonli...l-Primary-82719[/url]
[/quote]The 800va ones look like a good deal on Phil's list. Can't believe that I got mine from Polar this time last year for £88!
Just be very precise with the measurements, Nick. Fitting the toroid into the space between the power amp PCB and the amp sides is a bit tricky, it takes a bit of rotating around the M8 bolt to get it right.
PM me if you want me to take the top cover of my 400rb and check anything, Nick.
Martin

Edited August 7, 2013 by The fasting showman

[gelfin]

Be very wary of getting it from polar audio. I did last year for a 2000RB. They sent one with the wrong electrical values and it blew the amp main board.
GK were very helpful and basically supplied all the internal electronics required to fix it "free of charge"

Check the spec of any transformer with GK before you fit it.

[The fasting showman]

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1375908177' post='2167390']
Be very wary of getting it from polar audio. I did last year for a 2000RB. They sent one with the wrong electrical values and it blew the amp main board.
GK were very helpful and basically supplied all the internal electronics required to fix it "free of charge"

Check the spec of any transformer with GK before you fit it.
[/quote]Good advice. How did you manage to contact GK in the US? I just kept getting my emails bounced back to me; I figured that Polar were the only contact if you are in the UK as far as GK are concerned.
Cheers,
Martin

[nick]

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1375859527' post='2166455']
If it is a standard voltage [url="http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Power/115-230V-Toroidal-Transformers-Dual-Primary-82719"]http://www.rapidonli...l-Primary-82719[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks Phil.

[quote name='The fasting showman' timestamp='1375862754' post='2166491']
The 800va ones look like a good deal on Phil's list. Can't believe that I got mine from Polar this time last year for £88!
Just be very precise with the measurements, Nick. Fitting the toroid into the space between the power amp PCB and the amp sides is a bit tricky, it takes a bit of rotating around the M8 bolt to get it right.
PM me if you want me to take the top cover of my 400rb and check anything, Nick.
Martin
[/quote]

[size=4]Hi Martin, Measured about 42v on the secondary's. Regarding the price, you did well to buy one when you did. Apparently, [i]'[font=Verdana, sans-serif]the actual manufacturing cost had increased over the last decade but had not been updated incrementally over that time by GK'[/font][/i][/size]

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1375908177' post='2167390']
Be very wary of getting it from polar audio. I did last year for a 2000RB. They sent one with the wrong electrical values and it blew the amp main board.
GK were very helpful and basically supplied all the internal electronics required to fix it "free of charge"

Check the spec of any transformer with GK before you fit it.
[/quote]

Thanks for the heads up Gelfin.
Not sure what to make of Polar Audio TBH. When I first enquired, they quoted £65 (exc VAT). Then I received an invoice for £186. However none in stock, lead time of 8+ weeks.....
After replying querying the price, I received an email from Polar admitting 'a price disparity' which was to be investigated with GK....

[size=4]Polar Audio have now got back to me to inform me that the price is actually '[font=Verdana, sans-serif]correct as [/font][font=Verdana, sans-serif]it was recently determined that the actual manufacturing cost had increased over the last decade but had not been updated incrementally over that time by GK'. [/font][/size]
[size=4][font=Verdana, sans-serif]To be fair they are now offering the transformer at reduced price of £133 and there is now one in stock(?!)... [/font][/size]
[size=4][font=Verdana, sans-serif]This has gone on over past fortnight, phone calls & emails.... I'm not even confident now that I'm going to get the correct transformer. [/font][/size][size=4][font=Verdana, sans-serif]So I think I'm gonna look elsewhere.[/font][/size]
[size=4][font=Verdana, sans-serif]Gallien Krueger make great amps, but this is not good aftersales or product support IMHO, not from from this experience.[/font][/size]

Edited August 7, 2013 by nick

[The fasting showman]

Yeah Nick, I can't see why GK themselves couldn't be contacted via email, I gave up despite getting various contacts off Talkbass.
I hope they don't lose interest in the RB series, they're fantastic amps. As I've ranted elsewhere they should do a reissue 'heritage' 400rb and 800rb, just like somebody should do a reissue Acoustic 370!

[gelfin]

If you join the GK forum you will find people on there that will point you in the right directions. Look for a member called "Bstring" he seems to be an expert and is very helpful,he also can give you decent contact details.

Edited August 8, 2013 by gelfin

[BigRedX]

TBH I can sort of see why GK aren't that interested. They probably would much rather you had bought 240V version from their UK dealer network in first place and now they are having to provide support for something that shouldn't really be their problem.

I can't help but think it would be far easier if you just bought an external step-down transformer and left the amp as it is.

[nick]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1375959776' post='2167854']
TBH I can sort of see why GK aren't that interested. They probably would much rather you had bought 240V version from their UK dealer network in first place and now they are having to provide support for something that shouldn't really be their problem.

I can't help but think it would be far easier if you just bought an external step-down transformer and left the amp as it is.
[/quote].

Understand too, but I wasn't really after any support as such. I just wanted to buy a component that is in their spares catalogue, without getting messed about. They work within a global market so shouldn't be a problem for them, as for any other company that deals on an international scale.

Nay worries, I'll just source it from elsewhere