Plitron Transformers for Replacement or Upgrade

To view the status of your order,
click here for orders placed in 2000,
click here for orders placed in 2001,
click here for orders placed in 2002,
click here for orders placed in 2003,
click here for orders placed in 2004,
click here for orders placed in 2005,
click here for orders placed in 2006,
click here for orders placed in 2007,
click here for orders placed in 2008

	Custom-manufactured for Counterpoint equipment. Great-sounding, reliable and dead-quiet Plitron toroidal transformers give every component a sonic boost. Pictured are (left to right), rear: NP220, NPS100; front: NP100, SA-9

These transformers are more than just replacement parts: they sound better than the original Counterpoint part by a large margin. I use these transformers for upgrades as well as repair. Amazingly good-sounding, quiet and reliable (read about that here), they are built to my specifications on an as-needed basis, one at a time. Allow ten weeks for lead time.

All prices are subject to change --I just pass on any price increases I receive. The online version of this page will always be more up-to-date than a printed copy.

Pricing note, March 2008: the PLUMMETING U.S. dollar combined with increasing fuel prices is causing these parts, which are made in Canada, to increase in cost. The prices below are being revised to reflect this reality.

If you do not see your model listed, that's probably because I have never ordered a replacement or upgrade transformer for that particular model. E-mail me and I can work up a quote.

Notes:

• These are toroidal (doughnut-shaped) transformers, so a hole will need to be drilled in the chassis to take the central mounting bolt (not provided). All transformers are sized to fit within the space vacated by the original EI (square) transformer.
• The wires will be color-coded to match the wire colors on the transformer to be replaced.
• Specify the primary voltage (your AC Mains voltage). US and Canada will be 120 volts. Japan will usually be 100 volts. All transformers are sized to handle 50/60Hz. For multiple primary voltages, add 10% to the base price for each additional voltage. Unless otherwise specified, the transformers listed above are for 120VAC/ 60Hz operation. If your requirements are different, a new AVA part number will be provided.
• *About VA Ratings. The VA (volt-amp) ratings shown above are the actual volt/amps that the Counterpoint product requires from the transformer in normal use. The transformers themselves are much larger than required, in some cases, nearly ten times as large. VA ratings are definitely a "numbers game." Different transformer manufacturers rate the same size transformer differently. There is no industry definition of "VA rating." One mfgr will calculate his rating when the transformer is working sufficiently hard to raise its temperature 30 degrees Celsius. A second manufacturer, with the same transformer, will calculate his at a 60 degree C rise above room temperature. The first, conservative, manufacturer will call his transformer a "900VA" transformer. The second, who rates his at a higher temperature, will call his a "1800 VA" transformer. Same transformer. All manufacturers of stereo gear, including Counterpoint, routinely inflate their claims. There is no policing of this -- manufacturers will print whatever they want, reviewers will repeat it, no one is testing the transformers. As Brian Gladstone, chief engineer at Plitron puts it,

"Contrary to common misconception, there is not a VA rating assigned to a specific core dimension or material. Any given core size and material is capable to handle a wide power range. The key to design is to select the core parameters which will meet the customer's requirement for power, noise performance, regulation, physical size, efficiency, temperature rise etc. It is a big juggling act which requires a thorough knowledge of the materials used, manufacturing capabilities and efficiencies, and most important the customer's requirements. As an example, a noisy hot, lossy 1000VA transformer could be redesigned on the same core to a quiet cool efficient 500 VA."

Ordering

To order a transformer, you can use personal checks or credit cards (if in the United States); if you are not in the U.S., you can use international money orders or wire transfers. Click here to see your payment options.

Current Status of Orders

As mentioned, it usually takes about eight to ten weeks to get parts from Plitron. Below is up-to-date information on the status of orders placed with Plitron.

2000 Orders

2001 Orders