Posted on Saturday, 23rd January 2010 by Jimmy Auw

The first thing that I need to do to refurbish my Hickok 539B Tube Tester is to clean up its appearance. I bought CRC QD Electronic Cleaner. This quick drying and no residue formula should be OK for my purpose. I remove all the buttons to wipe out all the dust and dirty things from the front plate.

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Tags: hickok, tube tester
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Posted on Friday, 8th January 2010 by Jimmy Auw

I manage to secure one vintage tube tester, a Hickok 539B. This is an ultimate tester, Lab grade, and one of the most wanted tester on eBay. Don’t ask how much did I pay for this. This is also a very heavy tester. I believe it’s over 10 Kgs. So please also don’t ask the shipping cost to deliver this item from other continent.

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Tags: 539B, hickok, tube tester
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Posted on Sunday, 3rd January 2010 by Jimmy Auw

A nice “300B Western Electric-like” tube from China and 300BS from Shuguang/Valve Art with Mesh design. Must be interesting to see how they both perform in the real world. Both are also very cheap for 300B tube.

Tags: 300B, Shuaguang, Valve Art, Western Electric
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Posted on Sunday, 3rd January 2010 by Jimmy Auw

On this lazy new year, I do a comparison between some of my old cheap meter (for Capacitance and Multimeter) and my new well know brand, Sanwa.

I finish some measurement for Capacitor and Resistor. It seems even the old cheap meter (cost <US$10) could measure very well compared with my expensive Sanwa (rated at 0.08% accuracy, cost >US$100). But for some special purpose, especially very small value measurement, the more expensive meter would do it better and more accurate. If you don’t mind with the “very standard” (more polite word for “cheap”) build quality, rarely measure small value item, and don’t need extra digit accuracy, then you can go with cheaper meter.

I compare 3 meters here. One is multipurpose meter, Sanwa PC510. High tech meter from Japan brand, Sanwa. Claims 0.08% accuracy, AC True RMS, and capable of testing Capacitance and Temperature (beside a standard AVO function of a Multimeter). This meter cost around US$ 150. The others are two my old meter. One is Heles UX35 (a standard AVO meter, cost around US$ 5) and the other is China brand Capacitance Meter CM8601A+ (up to 20.000uF, Capacitance meter only, cost less than US$ 8).

As the subject, I pick Audio Note Copper Foil Mylar-In-Oil Capacitor (default value at 0.47uF) and three value of 12W Mills Resistor (3R9, 22R, and 22K).

The photo below will speak by themselves.

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Tags: capacitance meter, heles, Sanwa
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Posted on Monday, 21st December 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Not really published on the market (at least not well spotted around big online webstore), but I manage to get a pair of it.

This is the CAST version of the Duelund Resistor. Well, for the Capacitor, the CAST definitely better (less ringing, so quiet, dynamic). How about this Resistor? Not sure though, plan to test it somewhere. Picture below is the 5W version.

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Tags: CAST, Duelund, resistor
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Posted on Saturday, 12th December 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Just arrive, could be my last “considered high end” capacitor… I welcome you, Audio Note Copper Foil Mylar in Oil 0.47uF/630Volt.

I do love the beautiful elegant copper appearance from this capacitor. It just wonderful and good looking (maybe I’m too bored with “brown paper” from Jensen and Duelund). How does this thing sound? Will see, later, don’t expect me to test it soon, since quite busy these days.

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Tags: audio note, Capacitor
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Posted on Thursday, 3rd December 2009 by Jimmy Auw

I order another transformer. This should be an upgrade of the previous version.

First, I add 0-75V tap for my neon lamp INS-1.

Second, I upgrade from H10 to Z11 lamination, from 35 size to a bigger 38 size.

Finally, I also upgrade the internal wire from local made to Germany/Australia combination.

It’s a kind of oversize for an “only” 100+VA transformer.

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Tags: transformer
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Posted on Saturday, 28th November 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Finally, with the help from my girlfriend, I manage to get the Nuvotem Talema Transformer on hand within a week. It’s rated at 6.3A with 2x18V output or about 225VA. Not bad for my LM1875 huh…

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Tags: power supply, talema, transformer
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (14)

Posted on Wednesday, 25th November 2009 by Jimmy Auw

I manage to secure some old vintage meters. One is for DC Voltage (up to 300V, exactly what I need for my pre-amp). While the other is mA meter (up to 30mA, another luck for my pre-amp). I’m thinking of removing the old black cover, change it with some wood and acrylic. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

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Tags: vintage meter
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (7)

Posted on Monday, 12th October 2009 by Jimmy Auw

Some singers have their own unique “tone”, which reflects their “style” when singing. This uniqueness will  make us remember his/her specialty.

This old vintage CD Audio, produced around 2001, shows the wonderful soprano named Cui Yan Guang. She comes from Dalian, China and getting famous on the USA, HK, and Japan for Opera and Orchestra singer. You will understand when you hear her voice on this album.

She sang “vintage” (or I should say, “oldies”) songs. Perhaps at the age of Teresa Teng (邓丽君). But it’s a little bit different sensation to hear Teresa’s songs sung in an “Orchestral” way.

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Tags: CD Audio, chinese, female, soprano
Posted in CD/DVD Review, Collectible Stuff | Comments (0)

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
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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
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (9)