Posted on Monday, 9th January 2012 by Auw Jimmy

Long time I haven’t written any review about my CD collection. This time, I will write about one of the most collectible album, Amanda McBroom: Dreaming. This is one from two collectible album from Amanda. The other one is “Growing Up in Hollywood Town” which also ever reviewed somewhere around last year.

Amanda is an American singer and also a songwriter. I think most of her song was written by herself.

Around 1985, Amanda with her manager (also her husband) set up a label named Gecko Records. And this “Dreaming” was their first album under Gecko Record (on 1986). Previously, the “Growing Up in Hollywood Town” was done under Sheffield Labs label.

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Tags: Amanda McBroom, CD Audio Review, Dreaming, Gecko Records, Sheffield Labs
Posted in CD/DVD Review, Collectible Stuff | Comments (0)

Posted on Tuesday, 20th December 2011 by Auw Jimmy

Finding a good soldering iron is not an easy job. But once you find it, it will simplify the rest of your life – I mean, the rest of your soldering life

One of my preference brand is Goot from Taiyo Electric, Japan. Although there are several affordable and also durable brand, but I think I’m quite OK with this Goot soldering iron (but remember, this is not the only brand in the world and the important is the man behind the gun, I mean, the solder).

I’m quite happy with CS-30 series which I bought maybe more than 7 years ago. It’s very durable. The main reason for me to change is the screw to remove the tip has broken (so I can’t change the broken tip). The new replacement is CS-31 which carries similar spec (25W version).

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Tags: Goot, Melting Temperature, solder, Soldering Iron, WBT
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio, Measurement | Comments (6)

Posted on Tuesday, 20th December 2011 by Auw Jimmy

So far, my current reference for solder is WBT. Price and performance wise, this is one of the best from my point of view (also point of listening). But somehow someday, I was intrigued to try Mundorf top of the line solder, the MSolder Supreme Silver Gold. I know Mundorf quite well, as at some point, I used to love their capacitor (especially the Silver/Gold/Oil series).

This top of the line solder contains 88.6% Tin, 1.8% Copper, (massively) 9.5% Silver, and 0.1% Gold.

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Tags: Goot, Mundorf MSolder Silver Gold, Soldering Iron
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (0)

Posted on Monday, 12th December 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I was quite surprised to hear this email below few days ago. Yes I knew that some Cardas SRCA has Cardas logo, found on their reference or factory terminated cable – but I didn’t know (or didn’t realize) if their separate selling of the SRCA (plug only) shouldn’t have this logo.

According to Josh Meredith, the SRCA with Cardas logo is a fake or counterfeit one. Except if you buy a factory terminated cable.

Should I say I’m lucky or not? That I have both type of SRCA on hand… >.<

I bought the ‘considered fake one’ on the common public online marketplace ‘where you can buy almost everything’  – I do hope you got my clue. I bought at similar price with common retailer like PCX. The reason for me to buy from that marketplace was the delivery time was faster as the seller was from Asia, instead of – let’s say PCX – which located on Canada. And that kind of shortcut leaded me into throwing money into garbage bin. Since it’s already happened, there is no reason to cry. Let’s see what is the different from the physical side between those two.

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Tags: Cardas, Counterfeit, Fake Cardas, Fake SRCA, SRCA
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (2)

Posted on Tuesday, 15th November 2011 by Auw Jimmy

So far, Auricap is one of my trusted capacitor brand – in power supply section. I still remember ‘few’ years back (when using this capacitor for the very first time) and comparing with Solen, Hovland, and Bennic XPP in my very first DIY speaker. Sounds familiar – if you were ever there.

Now, time has changed, but Auricap remains there. Affordable and sounds quite natural capacitor. I receive information from my colleague that Auricap releases latest type, the XO series. Not quite sure why Auricap uses XO as their new model. Probably as this new capacitor also available in very larger version (100 uF++, if I’m not mistaken).

Auricap is still my favorite in power supply section, after Solen. Well, so far if you are thinking a full film capacitor power supply, then Solen is a nice and realistic choice, as they are available in large capacitance, adequate 400-630 VDC, and definitely affordable price. Now, with the arrival of Auricap XO, which also offers large capacitance and high voltage, then the different is all about money (and performance to justify the cost).

I order 0.1 uF / 400 VDC and plan to use them in power supply section of my new Aikido Preamp.

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Tags: auricap, Auricap XO, Capacitor, preamp
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (2)

Posted on Monday, 17th October 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I always enjoy the beauty of vacuum tube, especially when the heater is glowing bright on thoriated tungsten tube and in a dimmed room. The photo below only taken for fun. I power up the EIMAC 8165/4-65A tube with 4x AA battery. The 6V filament glows, but I think due to limited current from the AA batteries, it can’t be as bright as normal. But even with the limited current, we still can enjoy the beauty of it…

More EIMAC tubes to follow…

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Tags: EIMAC, tube
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (4)

Posted on Wednesday, 12th October 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I ordered Duelund CAST Cu capacitor few months ago. I already have Duelund CAST Ag (Silver) on my Aikido Preamp. But I wanted Duelund CAST for my future amp (probably it’s gonna be another abandoned project?). As the CAST Ag price is very not reasonable (around US$2500 or more for a pair of 1 uF/630 VDC), then I think the CAST Cu is the best option (around US$ 1200 a pair). I also ordered my Alexander by Duelund capacitor (less than US$ 200 a pair of 0.47 uF/900 VDC), just to ‘finalized’ my passion on it (how bad it could be?).

After around 3 months or so production, finally the goods arrived on my home yesterday. When I opened it, I got a surprise. Duelund changed their chassis design for the CAST capacitor. See below.

I think the design is more likely a ‘small car battery’. Quite nice, since the new design is smaller and it’s ‘boxy’ design could fit on most PCB easily, compared with the old ‘moon cake’ chassis design.

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Tags: Capacitor, CAST Ag, CAST Cu, Duelund
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (5)

Posted on Tuesday, 11th October 2011 by Auw Jimmy

It’s interesting to hear how does this low end capacitor would sound. So I eventually try to obtain it. I just can’t stop my passion in this. Sigh…

Priced at very low value (just a little bit more expensive than Audio Note Mylar version), this Alexander capacitor from Duelund got ‘unique’ 900VDC rating. Based on its specification and capacitance availability, I’m quite sure this is more for electronic circuit instead of crossover.

Interesting to hear how does it sound. I also order the new version of Duelund CAST Cu capacitor. Although they are at different level, but at how much? That would be remained as question, until I try it.

All I need is some more time…

Tags: Alexander, Capacitor, Duelund
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (9)

Posted on Sunday, 18th September 2011 by Auw Jimmy

As  my Sowter Choke Input was acquisitioned by my friend. Then I have to consider some replacement. Actually my friend was interested with Hashimoto or similar, but as most of the Choke Input was designed for power amp, instead of preamp, so the specification and requirement (especially for minimum current demand) were different.

Luckily, as my preamp uses quite big current, then I can consider some Choke Input for power amp usage. One of them is the Hashimoto C-25-150CH. This choke is designed for Input application, rated at 25 H and 200 mA maximum current. DCR is claimed around 205 Ohm. Spec wise, it’s all very good to best. As material, Hashimoto is quite confident with its Orient High B core (forget Permalloy or Amorphous). Internally, this choke should be a C-Core type, with extra electrostatic shield. Oh, Hashimoto also put extra work to make this choke as a magnetic shield type. I think they do understand that Choke Input could radiate enough flux and/or electromagnetic things. Definitely, a magnetic shield design will be a nice addition. Build quality of this choke is also quite superb. With around 2.4 Kg weight, this is a heavy weight championship (remember, this is only a choke!)

The second one is a Tamura A-4004. Although it’s rated only 10 H and 200 mA maximum (or 2.5 H at 400 mA), this choke only around 10% lighter than Hashimoto Choke Input above. Physically size, this Tamura also a little bit smaller than the Hashimoto. Before, I was considering A-4006 (Amorphous) also. But due to some other consideration (as my Aikido Preamp already has Duelund CAST Ag Silver Capacitor inside), then I think non-Amorphous core will give a nice combination with it. Right or wrong? We shall prove it later…

Tags: Choke, Choke Input, Hashimoto, power supply, Tamura
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (3)

Posted on Tuesday, 30th August 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I have been a fan for Black Gate for quite long time. My first time impression probably nearly 10 years ago. I forgot whether I heard SKz or WKz at that moment, but I did remember the beauty of tube amplifier, smoothed by those Black Gate (probably not just Black Gate who contributed for the amazing sonic at that moment).

But 10 years back, I didn’t dare to play hundred of Volts for designing tube based equipment, then high voltage Black Gate such as SKz or WKz was out of my consideration. I got some and sell some… Mostly, I preferred to play with NX series, which very common in low voltage application (as low as 6.3 Volts). Very useful in D/A application. Some people say the Black Gate NX (especially the HQ – High Quality version) is very good in D/A coupling application. It produces very neutral sound, transparent, almost nothing (like direct coupling). But some people don’t like this kind of ‘sterile’ sound. Not analog, some people complaint.

Actually, other best application for Black Gate NX series is on the power supply smoothing section, especially on the D/A side.

I still own several N/NX/Hi-Q series, FK series, F series, PK series, Standard series, C series, and off course, the latest acquisition, SKz/WKz series.

All the latest WKz series (not WK, SK or SKz) will have a green ‘Goddess playing harps’ and  ‘Heart of Muse’ text. Actually, Black Gate is not the only one who uses ‘Muse’ in their capacitor series. We also can find Nichicon who uses ‘Muse’ in their line up. Term ‘Muse’ itself (one of them) could refer to any of 9 daughter of Mnemosyne and Zeus. Still on the same mythology, each of the Goddess possesses specific art or science. Probably this one loves music…

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Tags: Black Gate, Capacitor, SK, SKz, WKz
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (7)

Posted on Friday, 29th July 2011 by Auw Jimmy

Last upgrade, the switches. Basically, in most tube application, we will use two switches. The first is the main switch which will control the main AC voltage to supply the main transformer. The second one is the one which commonly called as stand-by switch. This will control the High Voltage (either cut in AC – before rectification or DC – after rectification) supply to power up the tube.

The first switch is quite easy to get, as this is common voltage (either 110 VAC or 220 VAC). But the second one is not too easy, since we will deal with voltage more than 220 VAC (usually 300-500 VAC/VDC). Most people will use standard 220 VAC rated switch, which is actually quite safe, since this second switch only run <200 mA current (most 220 VAC switch is rated 5 A or more).

But as this is the ultimate project, of course we will not use such shortcut approach. After some searching around, my choice hits to the Leviton 30A – 600 VAC rated switch. This double poles switch has silver-alloy contacts and designed for fast-make/slow-break. This is really what I’m looking for from a High Voltage switch. With 600 VAC rating, I think I can sleep very well when use this one on 350 VAC secondary.

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Tags: High Voltage, Hubbell, Leviton, Stand-by switch, tube
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (3)

Posted on Saturday, 23rd July 2011 by Auw Jimmy

This is the final choke upgrade that I’ve been waiting for quite long time. After some discussion on the phone with Brian (1 day before his birthday), finally I finalized the order. Custom made from Sowter UK, a Choke specified for Input position. Spec wise, it should be 30H with 75mA current capacity. Rated at 500V as this one will be placed in input position – so safety first!

FYI, most designer will not go with Choke Input approach. First, because the Capacitor rated at higher voltage is so cheap and widely available. It’s easy to get Capacitor rated at 630 VDC and the cost is so far very reasonable. Second, Choke at Input is a kind of “waste” in terms of voltage. It only produces DC around 0.9x from the AC voltage source, compared with Capacitor which could produce DC around 1.414x from the AC source. Kind of voltage waste? Sort of…

Back to the choke, DCR is optimized at Level 2 raised from the standard spec (well, if you know me so well, mostly I don’t go with standard spec). At Level 2, the DCR targeted around 260R from 300R at standard spec (but I got better on real measurement). I could have option up to around Level 4 which could reduce the DCR around 1/5 times lower, but it will lift the height of this choke to 6 Kg. I don’t mind to pay more for manufacturing process and material cost, but I do mind with the 6 Kg shipment cost and the tax!

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Tags: Aikido, Choke, Choke Input, preamp, Sowter
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (3)