Posted on Sunday, 27th September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

It’s over midnight. After my previous mod on my Aikido Power Supply section here, it’s time to test it with RGN rectifier. I pick my Tefefunken RGN1054 Mesh Rectifier (before, I use Russian 5U4C, not a bad rectifier though).

The result? RGN offers even more transparency, even more detail, and the most important is, it gives the “musicality” there. I would translate the “musicality” here as the sweet harmonics delivered on every tone played.

But, it lacks the low register a little bit though… In a really small margin, but you could hear that the bass is not as punchy as before (with 5U4C Rectifier). I will try later with Telefunken RGN 2004 Mesh Rectifier, since I need to modify my converter socket first.

That’s all for now. It’s sleeping time!

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Tags: rectifier, RGN
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (4)

Posted on Saturday, 26th September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

It’s a weekend holiday and it’s time to scratch my laziness and doing some audio DIY mods. This time, I will try a capacitor from Jensen, the 4-Pole Electrolytic.

What makes it different from standard electrolytic? Well, it has 4 poles instead of 2 of standard electrolytic (that’s why they call it Jensen 4-Pole capacitor - I wonder why 4-Pole instead of 4-Poles?) But that’s simply out of our discussion here.

Again another question, why it has 4 Poles instead of 2? Keep reading.

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Tags: Aikido, Choke, jensen, power supply
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Posted on Thursday, 24th September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Due to generosity of my friend, let’s call him “Mr. S”, I manage to secure two more RGN Rectifier and add it to my collection. Welcome the Telefunken RGN 2004 and Telefunken RGN 1054! Both are mesh version!

The RGN 2004 is the “short-fat globe” version. I suspect this is the older version. Usually, the newer version has taller/bigger globe.

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Tags: rectifier, RGN, RGN Rectifier
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (0)

Posted on Wednesday, 23rd September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

I dig my parts bin and found some resistor values which I needed to upgrade my Aikido. I used three brands here, Riken RMG “Metal Film”, Shinkoh “Tantalum”, and Kiwame “Carbon Film”.

Lets fire up the soldering iron

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Tags: Aikido, DACT, resistor
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Posted on Wednesday, 23rd September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

If before I picked Obbligato as last Power Supply (High Voltage) bypass capacitor, now I’m experimenting with Jensen Pure Copper Foil Paper Tube in this position.

The result? Well, not as significant as VCap on the first capacitor (after first Choke), but compared to Obbligato, I feel “oh so natural” sound with this Jensen. Now the Jensen is side by side with the Duelund

Tags: Duelund, jensen, power supply
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Posted on Wednesday, 16th September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Audio journey in life is full of poison. After completing my mission to poison my friend with a super caps (read: Duelund), then he poisons me back with this LP. My favorite singer, good songs, and excellent recording. Bah… This is really poisonous.

After several weeks of waiting, finally this LP is arrived today Just enjoy the showcase. Below is the front cover.

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Tags: LP, teresa teng
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Posted on Sunday, 6th September 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Yes, you might call me crazy! A Teflon VCap TFTF on Power Supply section?

If I need to make myself clear, this 0.47uF/600VDC VCap TFTF Teflon capacitor will cost you around US$ 150 each (depends on quantity). So we will spend near US$ 300 only for two VCap TFTF here!!!

And eventually, you will ask why do I put those caps there? Actually this is an “accident”. I bought those VCap few months ago, but it just didn’t match right with my current system (it prefers Duelund CAST PIO) - check the article here, here, and here. So what should I do with them?

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Tags: Aikido, power supply, preamp, VCap
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (9)