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What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?

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Posted on July 15, 2015 at 01:47:14
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 I replaced a pair of DS-025 with ES-025 in 2-stage amplifier (2A3 or 45). I know I enjoy the change in the sonic presentation. But what are the technical advantages of interleaving?

Another question: If i were to move up to a silver primary, what kind of sonic improvement might i expect and why?

I know these are vague questions, with undoubtedly many answers. But I'd like to hear your views, esp. about the technical aspects of the two questions.

 

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RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on July 15, 2015 at 06:44:41
Chip647
Audiophile

Posts: 2653
Location: The South
Joined: December 24, 2012

This dude can say it better than me:

"There is a technique that is used for valve output transformers, shown in Figure 11.6 - you will not find this method used in power transformers, as it is completely unnecessary and increases the primary-secondary capacitance dramatically.


Figure 11.6 - Interleaved Winding for Extended HF Response

The trick to winding transformers to minimise the winding leakage inductance and self capacitance is called "interleaving", but this results in much greater inter-winding capacitance. The most common way an interleaved winding is done is to use a multi-segmented winding, as shown in the sectional drawing of Figure 11.6. This type of winding is (or was) quite common for high quality valve output transformers, and the extension of frequency on the top end of the audio spectrum is very noticeable.

The capacitance between the primary and secondary can become troublesome with this technique, and although possible, an electrostatic shield (actually, a number of electrostatic shields may be needed) adds considerably to the cost, but creates a minimal overall benefit. This winding method is not used (or needed) with low frequency power transformers, and would lead to greatly reduced electrical safety because of the difficulty of insulating each section from the next. The same problem also exists with an output transformer, but is easier to control because one side of the secondary is earthed and the internal DC is already isolated from the mains.

 

RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on July 16, 2015 at 04:45:18
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
 Thanks. I have very bad high frequency hearing, so I am wondering if i get those benefits. My impression of the sound is that it is more present and alive. I feel closer to the music. Maybe it's just my mind rationalizing about the expense.

 

RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on July 16, 2015 at 06:25:00
drlowmu
Manufacturer

Posts: 9730
Location: East of Kansas City
Joined: January 10, 2005
 As we age, we lose HF hearing. BUT, there are resultants of the high frequency musical information, that comes " down the ladder" and lands in the mid range, where we all usually hear well.

So, us older listeners can tell from the MIDS, when the highs are " right ". Even if you are 85 and can't hear over 5 KHZ, or a mechanical watch ticking !!!

Jeff Medwin

 

RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on July 17, 2015 at 20:49:19
Paul Joppa
Industry Professional

Posts: 7296
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: April 23, 2001
 Jeff is probably quite right here. In the violin-maker community it is well known that older, more experienced ears can tune the front and back plates as well and often better than younger ears with less knowledge/experience. There is no scientific (sine-wave) basis for this, just real-world experience.

 

RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on July 18, 2015 at 06:36:52
Naz
Audiophile

Posts: 2184
Location: Sydney
Joined: September 2, 2005
 Agreed, my hearing is definitely not as extended as it used to be but my system has never sounded as good since I added supertweeters.

Although I use a crossover point of 20kHz their beneficial effect is clearly "heard" by my other audio friends, all of whom are approaching their 60s and cannot hear sine waves much above 12kHz.

My critical brother now says that sound is near perfect and he cannot see me improving it in any meaningful way ... a BIG call from him I assure you.

Disconnect the supertweeters and every part of the audio spectrum seems to suffer to some extent, including sub bass ... go figure.

Naz

 

RE: What are the advantages of interleaving on an SE OPT?, posted on September 13, 2015 at 04:00:25
aknaydenov
Audiophile

Posts: 106
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Joined: September 13, 2015
 Hello,

Keep in mind that a poor HF response means also a lower resonant frequency and a poor phase response. A transformer with a 10KHz cut-off frequency would have considerable phase distortion even at 2KHz.

Regards,
Alexander.

 

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