Harlon,
My inclination is that the 565 clones are a bit of overkill. They're a GREAT OT....... but as you already mentioned, you're not needing the UL factor, so IMHO, why include it in your purchase? I've now purchased several sets of Transcendar OTs.....and I find them to be superb! At the same time, I've also purchased several sets of Edcor OTs, and frankly, I've nothing bad to say about them either. And, they're less costly. BUT....they often take a while to get. I think the 'console' environment should somewhat limit your considerations here. This is not to say that a console can't sound wonderful...... as I've heard some that were absolutely breath-taking. But, that was accomplished by just some attention to detail, not by a lot of expensive up-grades. The original OTs were well suited to the unit as designed. They were a good match for the speakers that came with the consoles....and I think Magnavox engineers worked well with their purchasing and marketing departments so as not to over-promise and under-deliver, or vice versa. So, basically what I'm saying is that if you have an otherwise 'stock' console, with 'stock' speakers, and the 'stock' pre-amp/tuner section....then just a properly detailed power amp section as per the original design and components should make your unit sound great....WITHOUT spending a lot of money on upgraded transformers.
My own 'unprofessional' feeling is that when you take the amp OUT of the console environment and then start using it in conjunction with different speakers and pre-amp units, that's when you introduce a lot of variables that are simply a 'constant' within the console environment. As such, you begin to operate in a realm where you're comparing the amp as a 'stand-alone' power amp with other similar units...which is NOT the original design intent of the Magnavox people. Granted, this amp is so well engineered and so well built that it lends itself to being cannibalized out of the consoles and placed in the stand-alone arena. But, IMHO, only then is it really appropriate to start dealing with a lot of design and parts changes....such that they become significantly audible on some more sensitive speakers. If sticking within the original habitat of the console....to me, it just makes the most sense to just make sure that the power amp is functioning 100% as it was designed to perform......as I doubt that a simple change of output transformer would greatly alter the outcome of the overall performance of the console. But, a poorly performing power amp, even of a 'stock' nature, will clearly degrade the sound of the console unit.
So.....my advice....FWIW.....is that you simply do a 100% check-out of your amp.....possibly replace the filter caps just for good measure, and likewise the coupling caps, and then check every single resistor for any significant drift....as there will likely be some.....and replace those that are out of value. Then, with a fresh set of tubes, see how the console sounds to you, and ask yourself......is it really worth spending a couple of hundred dollars and several more hours of your time to replace the output transformers when your 'really' might not hear much overall distinction in sonic reproduction capability? Would improved speakers be a better choice? I dunno....... I do know that the Maggie amps are wonderful units.....and 'upgrading' them has been a LOT of fun for me in the past few years. But, NONE of what I've done has landed back inside a console.
Anyway..... I just didn't want you to feel 'neglected' without any responses here!! Not that mine is worth a grain of salt. But, some times I just wonder how much 'improvement' really gets done in situations like this. Here's a thought: Are you able to perhaps get your hands on a friend's ST-35 or maybe an SCA-35 such that you could hook that amp up to your console's speakers and do a 'listening' test? I'm just thinking that in so doing, you might find that something reveals itself....either that they play no better than your 'stock' Maggie....or that they deliver enough power that they over-drive your speakers.....or what-ever. Something might come of it that you make your mind up as to buying different output transformers. Of course....if your original's are 'blown'....then I guess new one's will be on their way.....lol.
Good luck what ever you do. Hope it works out!
Tom D.
