Some of the commercial stuff sounds quite good.
I use a Johnson Valiant, that has been modified with an oscellator circuit,
so I can resonate it and match the output power appropriately. It is a lot
better than the listening to the transformer hum method. I usually run
about 110 watts output and knock on wood, haven't had a problem in years
with the old station. I use a d-104, and use the ts480 through a high fi
amp for receiving.