pc-3 transformers

tuffy_puppy · 2649

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Offline tuffy_puppy

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on: January 20, 2014, 07:30:30 AM
hello all,  several years back i purchased a used sex 2.1 and sent it to shawn to be checked out.  later that year i had some upgrades performed by a friend.  i know better that to attempt these things myself and all has gone well since.  question:  this amp has for, i think, output trannies a pair of pc-3s.  should they be upgraded?  are they known to lack qualities that would be desireable?  would this entail more work on my extended foreplay three?  thinking of the bottom line all the while.  ideas?  comments?  don



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: January 20, 2014, 09:18:45 AM
The PC-3's are plate chokes, and Magnequest has a BH-2 plate choke that is the upgrade unit.

I would expect it to be a lot like the BCP15/40 plate choke.


Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline tuffy_puppy

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Reply #2 on: January 20, 2014, 11:55:30 AM
well,  having no idea what pb just said (my total ignorance)  i shall deem my sex amp to be finalized and just sit back and listen.  thanks, folks, don



Offline Grainger49

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Reply #3 on: January 20, 2014, 01:18:32 PM
Post a picture of the top and underside of your amp.  The transformers and chokes could be identified from that.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2014, 03:50:33 AM by Grainger49 »



Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #4 on: January 20, 2014, 02:00:41 PM
The original SEX 2.0 (first stereo SEX, 2004) used the PC-1, a plate choke of about 25 henries.

When we introduced the current version 2.1 model, we significantly upgrades the plate choke and output transformer - that's what you have. The PC-3 has about 40 henries.

The available Magnequest upgrade package includes the BH-2 plate choke, which has about 50 henries.

The Magnequest is a big upgrade from the original PC-1, but only a modest upgrade from the current PC-3. I believe it's only sold with the matching output transformer. I have the MQ package (with nickel core transformer) in my personal SEX amp. IIRC, Doc B had the same but sold his in favor of the current production. The sonics are slightly different, so it's a matter of taste and preference.

Paul Joppa


Offline tuffy_puppy

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Reply #5 on: January 20, 2014, 02:23:56 PM
thank you, sir.  each upgrade i have pursued has furnished payoffs in listening experiences.  it is probably time to focus more on my older bottlehead mono blocs and to consider the sex 2.1 to be finished.  it is embarrassing to expose my abysmal ingorance in these matters and i do not enjoy it.............when i first obtained the little sex amp and hooked it up i knew within one minute that all my decware gear was for sale that i may proceed to obtain bh gear that i may have more options.  all good and am listening with gusto,  thanks all,  don pettit, long beach, wa.



Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #6 on: January 20, 2014, 02:51:23 PM
So, talk about those older monoblocks? I have a great fondness for some of the old designs, especially those from the early days.

Paul Joppa


Offline tuffy_puppy

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Reply #7 on: January 20, 2014, 07:54:48 PM
pj,  will be employing my computer literate wife to photo top and bottom views of the mono blocs.  these guys sound better to my uneducated ears than does my sex amp (greatly upgraded).  but the amps are just a bit too strong for my quite small front room.  and with no hp jack i cannot listen to the am npr news without disturbing the SHE of this house.  have plans to set the little monos up in a rear room of the house.  so,  more later and thanks for asking,  don pettit