watchnerd
Grand Contributor
Looking at high end Japanese analog integrated amps, I find it interesting the big stink each of the manufacturers makes in their marketing literature about the type of transformer they use, as opposed to just its rating.
Yamaha, as the very first feature in its marketing, touts its toroidal transformer:
"Toroidal Transformer
A large toroidal transformer has been used in the A-S3200 in the pursuit of pure musicality. With less flux leakage there is no negative impact on other sensitive audio circuits. Copper wire is directly drawn from the winded core, minimizing energy loss compared to other substitutes, allowing the full emotional energy in the music to be felt by the listener."
Luxman lists the power supply further down the page, but bothers to make a point that it uses an EI transformer:
"High stability power supply
The highly stable power supply circuit developed for the L-509X features a 600 VA EI-core-type power transformer and independent left and right channel large capacity blocking capacitors (10,000μFx4 per channel). This generous custom specification ensures that the power supply unit will not be affected by any load fluctuation."
Aside from the curiousity about why this transformer emphasis seems to be particularly Japanese, is there any meaningful reason to prefer one type vs the other, all things being equal?
Yamaha, as the very first feature in its marketing, touts its toroidal transformer:
"Toroidal Transformer
A large toroidal transformer has been used in the A-S3200 in the pursuit of pure musicality. With less flux leakage there is no negative impact on other sensitive audio circuits. Copper wire is directly drawn from the winded core, minimizing energy loss compared to other substitutes, allowing the full emotional energy in the music to be felt by the listener."
Luxman lists the power supply further down the page, but bothers to make a point that it uses an EI transformer:
"High stability power supply
The highly stable power supply circuit developed for the L-509X features a 600 VA EI-core-type power transformer and independent left and right channel large capacity blocking capacitors (10,000μFx4 per channel). This generous custom specification ensures that the power supply unit will not be affected by any load fluctuation."
Aside from the curiousity about why this transformer emphasis seems to be particularly Japanese, is there any meaningful reason to prefer one type vs the other, all things being equal?