[francisdemarte]

Looks nice, even more refined than a real BCL.
 
The new transformer is low profile EI transformer, its soldered onto the circuit board thus eliminating the need for some wires. It does look smaller, there no indication on the unit itself but I assume it outputs the same amount as the old torodial with the benefit of some shielding. Only testing will determine if it is better, worse, or (most likely) the same. 
 
I can't make out from the picture but there are also a couple of more black resistors or some type of IC between the transformer and the big gold capacitors. Not sure what they are for.
 
The RCA inputs/outputs are also now soldered directly onto the board. They look the same as the pictures on page 1 of this thread, the ones on the actual BCL are more "audiophile" grade.
 
There is also what looks like an extra relay, the little white block next the transformer. I think there was only one on the old board. 
 
I dig the black color.
 

 

[cravenz]

Yeah it does look cleaner and better *mumbles*

 

[SPACEACE]

Looks to me the Rca's are mounted direct to the board so that should make them stronger then the original.
 All the internals seem to be the same design as the original so hopefully it still has the same sound?
I'm not digging the power supply tho, it seems a little small even tho it is sheilded.
If it can provide enough juice I guess it will work.  It looks like the same supply that A LOT of Chinese companies are using now. 
Maybe they are cheaper? 

 

[BlackstoneJD]

Looks like they shrunk the power supply.

 

[francisdemarte]

No one has confirmed nor denied that the new transformer outputs any different than the old one.
 

 

[SP Wild]

Quote:

I am canceling my order they shrunk the power supply and the oversized PSU is obviously part of what makes the Lehmann, and every good amp I've ever heard great.

I wouldn't cancel without hearing it.  I am betting it will sound better than the BCL - provided the transformer is up to specification.

 

[BlackstoneJD]

I don't know of any good amp that is using a transformer like that. Also, I'm not sure why Lehmann wold not have implemented these changes already if they really improved the sound. My guess is that these are cost cutting measures pure and simple. All the good amps I know are using the large open transformers. This looks cheaper to me.

 

[daltonlanny]

Hi,
From looking on their website www.headamp.com, then click 'products', then click 'home headphone amps', the power transformer in the Headamp GS-1 looks sort of similar to the transformer in the new Matix M-Stage. Of course the transformers are made by different manufacturers, but they do look kind of similar on the outside.

 

[gav007]

You can still get the old version of the m stage at Hlly Audio: http://hllyaudio.com/headphone-amplifier/matrix-m-stage-headphone-amplifier-pre-amplifier.html

 

[francisdemarte]

So do Meier Audio amps
 
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/meier3/3.jpg
 
The transformer just steps down your mains voltage to something usable. As long as it supplies proper voltage, keeping those giant capacitors filled and does not introduce noise it should be fine.  
 
I've heard some bad things about hllyaudio's service.

 

[coolfungadget]

Quote:

I don't know of any good amp that is using a transformer like that. Also, I'm not sure why Lehmann wold not have implemented these changes already if they really improved the sound. My guess is that these are cost cutting measures pure and simple. All the good amps I know are using the large open transformers. This looks cheaper to me.

 
Shielded transformers can reduce the low frequency shake and shorter/zero wire can further reduce the electronic interference. Actually the new transformer we are using is more expensive than the original one. It's the same as the one being use in Matrix mini-i DAC.

 

[coolfungadget]

Quote:

You can still get the old version of the m stage at Hlly Audio: http://hllyaudio.com/headphone-amplifier/matrix-m-stage-headphone-amplifier-pre-amplifier.html

I don't think so.

 

[coolfungadget]

Quote:

Looks to me the Rca's are mounted direct to the board so that should make them stronger then the original.
 All the internals seem to be the same design as the original so hopefully it still has the same sound?
I'm not digging the power supply tho, it seems a little small even tho it is sheilded.
If it can provide enough juice I guess it will work.  It looks like the same supply that A LOT of Chinese companies are using now. 
Maybe they are cheaper? 

No, it's tailored for Matrix with the laser logo on it.

 

[coolfungadget]

Quote:

Looks nice, even more refined than a real BCL.
 
The new transformer is low profile EI transformer, its soldered onto the circuit board thus eliminating the need for some wires. It does look smaller, there no indication on the unit itself but I assume it outputs the same amount as the old torodial with the benefit of some shielding. Only testing will determine if it is better, worse, or (most likely) the same. 
 
I can't make out from the picture but there are also a couple of more black resistors or some type of IC between the transformer and the big gold capacitors. Not sure what they are for.
 
The RCA inputs/outputs are also now soldered directly onto the board. They look the same as the pictures on page 1 of this thread, the ones on the actual BCL are more "audiophile" grade.
 
There is also what looks like an extra relay, the little white block next the transformer. I think there was only one on the old board. 
 
I dig the black color.
 

Good catch on the additional relay.

 

[francisdemarte]

So $1000 yuan question....What are the specs of the new EI transformer vs. the old one?