The 23Fe+ is a passive, 1:1 ratio high-impedance audio transformer, designed for use with electric guitar, bass, synth, pedal steel, or whatever you fancy. It really shines on digital effects and synths as it tends to warm up cold sounds, but it can also be used as a tone sweetener, or as a way to mellow a raspy sounding drive pedal. The plus (+) in the name is a new revision to the design as of late August 2024. This revision introduces a number of updates, listed below.
The 23Fe was developed in 2023 in an effort to create a really bad transformer, while retaining somewhat of a decent frequency response, minimal insertion loss, and a robust enough build to handle getting tossed around without breakage. Technically speaking, the worse a transformer performs, the more colorful it is. Unfortunately with the 23Fe, it had a bit too many issues, so a revision was necessary. During the manufacturing phase, the 23Fe had a 40% failure rate, which is obviously not good. Furthermore, during the warranty period about 4% failed - also not good. About 2% were returned because the buyer found it to be noisy and a small number of people reported they felt it was... believe it or not, "too colorful". I can't please everyone, but I'm really trying with the new 23Fe+.
The 23Fe was developed in 2023 in an effort to create a really bad transformer, while retaining somewhat of a decent frequency response, minimal insertion loss, and a robust enough build to handle getting tossed around without breakage. Technically speaking, the worse a transformer performs, the more colorful it is. Unfortunately with the 23Fe, it had a bit too many issues, so a revision was necessary. During the manufacturing phase, the 23Fe had a 40% failure rate, which is obviously not good. Furthermore, during the warranty period about 4% failed - also not good. About 2% were returned because the buyer found it to be noisy and a small number of people reported they felt it was... believe it or not, "too colorful". I can't please everyone, but I'm really trying with the new 23Fe+.
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The transformer found in the 23Fe+ is the Super Tony. The 23Fe had an un-shielded "Lil Tony". The Super Tony has a larger core than any small signal transformer I have ever built before. It uses a newly redesigned bobbin to accomplish this. This larger core size helps to extend the bass roll off from what was 52Hz, down to 30Hz with -3dB at 19Hz. It was necessary to dope the core with a tiny amount of nickel in order to help extend the frequency response and to reduce the manufacturing failure rate. The manufacturing failure rate has now dropped from 40% to 0%. Going back to the frequency response, the treble is also extended quite a bit. The expanded frequency response gives the 23Fe+ a more polished sound over the 23Fe. This is further expanded upon by the fact that it has a larger core. The larger core will not saturate quite as easily as before, but it'll still get swampy if you hit it with a lot of boost. To sum up the sound, the 23Fe+ is slightly less colorful than the 23Fe, but more colorful than the 2020S, and a lot more colorful than the original 2020. The reduced color and expanded frequency response make the 23Fe+ easier to stack multiples without truncating your frequency response. The added magnetic shielding can increases the price, but dramatically reduces noise from nearby power transformers and power supplies. The transformer is potted in the can, which substantially improves reliability. It can't break like the 23Fe potentially could from an impact.
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Inside the 23Fe+ on the PCB is a little loop of wire labled, GND. Snipping that wire will turn the 23Fe+ into an isolation transformer.
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The 23Fe+ features two 1/4" jacks that work as either input or output... it works both directions. Inside is a wire loop on the circuit board, that if snipped, will turn the 23Fe+ into an isolation transformer. The 23Fe+ ships direct from Lightning Boy Audio in the USA with a 1-year warranty.
Technical Specifications:
Enclosure size: 3.64 x 1.52 x 1.06" (92.5 x 38.6 x 26.924mm)
Weight: 6.8oz./176g (the 23Fe was 5.2oz.)
I/O: 1/4" (6.35mm) jacks. Interchangeable input/output.
Power supply requirements: None. Passive device = no power supply.
Transformer: LBA Super Tony (The 23Fe originally had an LBA "Lil' Tony")
Ratio: 1:1
Impedance: High
Ground: grounded I/O by default. Internal PCB wire loop can be cut to create an isolation transformer.
Insertion loss: ~2dB on average.
Frequency Response: 30Hz-39kHz +/- 1dB, LF -3dB @ 19Hz (23Fe was 52Hz-21.15kHz +/-2dB)
Magnetic Shielding Can: Yes, 30dB
Enclosure size: 3.64 x 1.52 x 1.06" (92.5 x 38.6 x 26.924mm)
Weight: 6.8oz./176g (the 23Fe was 5.2oz.)
I/O: 1/4" (6.35mm) jacks. Interchangeable input/output.
Power supply requirements: None. Passive device = no power supply.
Transformer: LBA Super Tony (The 23Fe originally had an LBA "Lil' Tony")
Ratio: 1:1
Impedance: High
Ground: grounded I/O by default. Internal PCB wire loop can be cut to create an isolation transformer.
Insertion loss: ~2dB on average.
Frequency Response: 30Hz-39kHz +/- 1dB, LF -3dB @ 19Hz (23Fe was 52Hz-21.15kHz +/-2dB)
Magnetic Shielding Can: Yes, 30dB