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I was just wondering if there is an alternative to iron when it comes to transformers. Most of the weight in an amp is the speakers (could be up to 12 pounds each, and transformers.

You might substitute aluminum wire for copper but that might create some flammability issues. IIRC, that's why they went back to copper wiring in homes after using aluminum for a while.

As for the iron cores, I dunno that anything with satifactory properties would be significantly lighter.

well i'm not an electronics or guitar amp expert but maybe they can use more powerful magnets like neodymium to reduce the weight of the speaker. and maybe use switch-mode power supply to eliminate/reduce the size of the power supply transformer.

Notice the best sounding trannies you've heard always seem to be the heaviest? Big massive iron is the only way to fly.

yeah, i know big trannies get the best tones, but wouldn't any material that is easily influenced by magnetism work just as well as iron? The purpose of the iron core is to increase efficiency by preventing the fields of the coils from negatively intruding upon eachother.

Dude, I don't understand any of that, I just connect the pretty wires to the pretty bits and pieces of plastic. Plug it in and get beautiful tone.

You can use other stuff, the trouble is that you can hear it as well.
Neodyme speakers does not sound like Alnico or ceramic ones either.
There is something with the mass of the iron that creates that particular sound, it is just like tubes.....goddamm annoying in many ways but sounds great when done right.


Originally Posted by Scott_FDude, I don't understand any of that, I just connect the pretty wires to the pretty bits and pieces of plastic. Plug it in and get beautiful tone.

AND bust your back.

Toroidal transformers are lighter and more efficient.