Toroidal repair or replacement service?

Is anyone aware of a UK-based toroidal transformer repair or replacement service?

Long story short I sent my Arcam A28 amplifier to Arcam (it would not switch on) and they sent it back stating that it has a failed primary on the transformer and that they no longer stock the part. It is an OEM part specific to Arcam and made by Noratel UK.

Has anyone ever had a toroidal transformer repaired and if so, by whom?

Thanks
Alex

Years ago I got a replacement Toroidal Transformer from my Arcam amp from the manufacturer.

If you look at the transformer, find the specification details and contact the manufacturer for a direct replacement.

If they not making any more, look for other manufacturers to see if they can offer a replacement

DG…

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Has Google not thrown anything up?

I haven’t had a transformer repaired, but I know there are transformer rewind businesses in the UK. Whether they can do torroidals, and how good, I have no idea. It is probably better to try to find a replacement if you can - I suspect most manufacturers simply buy stock items, simply picking one that meets their voltage and current requirements, possibly trialing and comparing (I seem to recall recall reading that Naim’s choice of manufacturer was based on sound performance, but that may be uncommon, and I have no idea if they compare when prototyping a new product). For a replacement, maybe even for rewind, you’d need the transformer spec - voltage and current for each of the secondary windings, then search out suppliers and manufacturers of transformers - you may be lucky and find there is a stock one. You need the right voltages, and no less current capability for each secondary winding - higher current capability is fine. Then check its diameter and height. Whether you can find that information is another matter - if lucky there may be a label on the old transformer, otherwise Arcam might possibly be able to tell you, or much internet searching. Whether a rewind service can do without the spec I don’t know.

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Do you mean from the transformer manufacturer - in this case Noratel UK? Unfortunately Arcam no longer stock them. They sent my amp back diagnosed but not repaired.

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Yes, contact them. They are still going and may have one, if not may be able to make, repair or advise who can repair.

Remember, at the end of the day, Arcam only put the bits together.

DG…

Or find firms that rewind any type of coils. Guitar pick ups or relays for example. They should be able to suggest a gauge of wire and number of turns.

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Many thanks - useful to know. There are certainly lots of separate windings going off to different areas.

My understanding is that this is a custom item made to Arcam’s specification. I can’t see the VA rating but the unit is large. It has both a part number and Arcam code on it.

I actually bought another A28 (at a very good price IMO) to cannibalise it for the transformer - it is silver rather than black. Ironically it arrived in considerably better condition than I expected so I have not done this - I don’t want to break a good one. I did unbox my original to start the procedure and found it had picked up damage to the case at the back while it was away - it was properly packed it it’s original box so I’m not sure how it happened. This made me less inclined to take the silver one apart🙄

I’ll contact Noratel UK and see what they say - it’s definitely worth a try. Thank you.

This is the transformer.

And this is the damage it sustained.

I’ve managed to straighten it about 80% (got the dent out at the side) but some of the paint has flaked off a bit.

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Send the photo to Noratel and see what they come back with.

What caused the damage. A Black marker pen should hopefully hide that, given it’s at the rear.

DG…

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I don’t know - all four corners are encased by foam when in the box - I discovered this a couple of days ago when I unboxed it. I’ll try a marker pen - good idea.

On a more positive note Arcam are able to repair my D33 DAC which had also suffered a failed transformer - it has two. I’ll check it carefully when I unpack it🤞.

Incase anyone is wondering, I want to use the A28 to replace the A18 in the sunroom - it is a better amp (when working!) but also has AB speaker switching which will be useful in that system.

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I would question why you are getting failed transformers - or why that is their diagnosis. It is something I’ve never had on any component in my life, and never heard of happening to anyone else, and I would expect a rarity - yet you have two. Either there is something poor about Arcam transformers, or your electricity supply, or the diagnosis.

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Yeah I’ve worked on a lot of gear. Never seen a failed winding. With linear transformers, there just isn’t much that can ever break. They should outlast you. And your grandkids.

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Maybe it’s an Arcam thing. I had one fail about 15 years ago.

The biggest problem I had with my Arcam kit was with the CD Player. One birthday had it upgraded from the 7 to the 8SE, part of which made it HDCD.

But a while later, the opening drawer started to play up. They had it back and found that some of the teeth on the opening mechanism had started to wear, but had no replacements. So they cleaned it up and re-lubed it. Then told me to sell it on.

Did so and sold all my Arcam kit and that’s when I first got into Naim, got a NAC 152 / NAP 155 / FlatCap XS combo. Never had any comeback from selling the 8SE, so must have been OK.

DG…

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Well Arcam also used Philips CDM9 so they probably had the same problem as Naim regarding replacement parts.

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I must admit I am more than surprised. The same sockets are shared by the Naim XS3, CD5si and Flatcap XS so fingers crossed. For about 8 years my Arcam Alpha 7r/8p used the same sockets without a problem.

On the same house circuit (downstairs sockets) we have various devices/items that have not had an issue. We had some building work done just over a year ago but everything was switched off and unplugged while that was going on. Our area that rarely suffers from power cuts etc.

Regarding Arcam, in the broader family we have 8 pieces of Alpha series equipment that, other than failed draw cogs on CDPs, have been faultless.
However, ref ‘newer’ generation products, as well as the failed D33 and A28 my Mk1 Solo Movie developed fault where it went silent for 10 seconds or so every few minutes regardless of input or output (tested internal amp and preouts) and my MK2 Solo Movie 5.1 developed intermittent distortion on different speaker channels which Arcam couldn’t get to repeat but suspected a new DSP chip/board was needed - I have not bothered as it is a £500+ part. The A18 has been absolutely fine though.

I might be wrong but I think the 2nd generation Alpha CDPs used a Sony transport rather than the Philips. They all used the same so that an owner of a 7 could upgrade to an 8, 8SE or 9 if they wished by swapping out the DAC side of things.

The first generation definitely used the Philips with its plastic gear wheel for the tray - I’ve replaced two over the years. It’s quite easy to do.

You’re probably right. I went from the One to the 5plus to the 6plus to the Linn Mimik II and was shocked that the Alpha One and Linn Mimik used the same Sony mech. Whereas the 5 and 6 the sturdier Phillips.

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Gear wheel aside, the Philips does seem to be a very good, smooth transport.