The VTL Signature Output Transformer
The Ultra-Wide Bandwidth, Low-Loss Output Transformer
VTL continues a tradition of emphasis on simple elegance and design innovation with our high fidelity, ultra wide bandwidth Signature output transformer.
- Multiple tight layering and coupling for extended frequency response
- Custom winding for clean square wave response, precise impedance matching to output tubes
- High efficiency with low insertion loss for optimal current transfer, set for 5 ohm ideal speaker load, utilizing whole secondary
The Soul
Behind the sleek new cosmetics of the VTL Signature Reference Amplifiers, a revolutionary new component is added to further improve the resolution of the amplifier. The Signature Transformer, an ultra-wide bandwidth, low loss output transformer, now comes standard with all VTL Signature and Reference amplifiers. The Signature transformer’s major strength is that it can deliver the current in the bass, while at the same time maintaining the speed in the high frequencies, dramatically improving the square wave response of the amplifier, and translating to a far cleaner sound.
Today our Signature and Reference Series amplifiers use a range of newly designed, fully balanced and enhanced interleaved and coupled Signature output transformers resulting in a greater sense of ease and control of the critical mid bass region and allowing the top end to sound completely unconstrained.
The Innovation
Traditional output transformers cannot match the performance of the VTL Signature transformer. The biggest challenge with designing a big output transformer is that it needs to be as big as possible to be able to handle the bass current, but it gets harder and harder to keep the speed in the top end as the size of the transformer increases. If the coupling is not watched carefully, the capacitance and leakage inductance will roll off the high frequencies.
Technically, the design highlights of the Signature output transformer are a substantial increase in the number of interleaved sections over VTL’s previous output transformers, dramatically improving the coupling between the primary and secondary windings (and even the individual wires) and increasing the efficiency (by lowering the insertion loss) of the transformer. The multiple sections and better winding to winding coupling of the Signature transformer gives the amplifier the capability to pass full power right out to the frequency extremes, which is the major reason for the wider frequency response and improved resolution, particularly in the top end.
An additional feature of the Signature output transformer is that the primary impedance of the transformer is more precisely matched to the plate impedance of the output tubes, and with the impedance set for optimum speaker load of 5 ohms gives the most efficient current transfer from the output tubes to the speaker load. This allows the VTL amplifiers to better handle the fluctuations in loudspeaker impedance and gives much more flexibility to handle a wider range of loudspeaker loads.
Several models of the VTL Deluxe monoblock amplifiers may be upgradeable with the Signature output transformers. Please email VTL to inquire about this upgrade.