The supplier of the transformer core laminations for the Super Tony transformer (23Fe+) finally got back to me!  The email I received is not "problem solved," but it is progress.  It seems at least possible now that the 23Fe+ may continue into the future, which I honestly want to happen.  I believe its a cool thing and I see a lot of interest from customers in the product, so I definitely want to keep it going for as long as possible.  The supplier asked for photos, which I provided.  I'm just waiting now for a response... again. 

Meanwhile, today I stumbled across an old notebook of mine with some product ideas in it.  One of those ideas should be a thing!  I started to design the idea immediately.  I'm going to call it the Super TI Box.  If you haven't guessed already, its a passive DI box based on my popular TI Box idea.  This is super because it will include a Super Tony transformer that can be switched in/out of circuit, as well as having an additional RCA input.  The design will also offer a HPF switch.  This DI would be entirely passive and would also offer controls for phase invert (polarity), and ground lift.  Of course, this idea is entirely dependent on the above mentioned supplier of the laminations for the Super Tony transformer core.  I hope I can offer this cool idea as a product, but my hands are tied at the moment.  I will update you with another blog post as soon as the situation evolves.  Thank you for your support.  I wouldn't be anywhere without customers who support my creative endeavors.   I will keep striving to create cool things because you encourage me with every purchase.  Thanks again!

This is an unexpected and unwanted end of production announcement for the 23Fe+.  I'm in the process of building the final run of 23 units for a pre-release date of March 25th (order here).  I had no intention of ending the 23Fe+, but my hand has been forced by my supplier of transformer core laminations used in that product (a USA-based company).  They screwed me over hardcore and have essentially ghosted me for complaining.  I ordered 30 pounds of transformer core laminations from them, which cost me $1024.20 USD.  What I actually received was 11.8 pounds of what I ordered, plus 18.2 pounds of different laminations that I did not order and I'm not sure if I can use for some other application.  I used up all of the correct material before finally discovering the rest of the material is all incorrect and not compatible with the Super Tony transformer used in the 23Fe+.  Basically, the transformer cores cost me more than double what I thought, eating into any profit there might have been, and I can't make more of them because I'm being ghosted by the supplier of the core material.    I really despise companies who can't fess up to their mistakes and do the opposite of building lasting customer relations. 

There might be an acceptable outcome for the future though.  I took some measurements of the incorrect core material and I believe 3 laminations stacked one on top of another is nearly the identical thickness as one layer used in the Super Tony transformer.  I think 3 layers might actually be about 0.002" thicker, so it may or may not work as a substitute.  Furthermore, this incorrect material is not made of the exact same metal.  It is actually a higher performing and proprietary steel alloy.  That means a transformer made with it should have at least slightly less sonic coloration than the Super Tony transformer.  I believe it will still have more mojo than the 2020S or 2020 Instrument Transformers.  So, the game plan is to create a new variant in the Instrument Transformer line.  I'll only be able to produce as many transformers as 18.2 pounds of laminations can create, which is probably about 100-120 units. Another unfortunate reality of this material is that it will take longer to stack each core - a process that is done by hand.  The side effect of that is a slightly higher price tag due to the additional labor.  It will take me some time to build a prototype, thoroughly test the prototype, and compare the prototype to the 23Fe+ in terms of sonic qualities.  If the prototype works out and if it sounds very similar to the 23Fe+, I'll name it the Fe3.  It'll be the 3rd variation of the 23Fe, so it seems like a fitting name.  As it is, I'm planning to keep the coil the exact same.  I can't imagine there will be a dramatic difference, but we'll just have to wait and see.  Thanks to everyone who has supported my transformer developments since the introduction of the first Instrument Transformer, the 2020 Instrument Transformer 5 years ago.  Over 760 Instrument Transformers have been sold to date.  That blows my mind.  Thank you so very much!