Posted on Wednesday, 14th April 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Straight to the point. Just backed home tonight from a crazy traffic, then it was a great moment to payback! Let’s solder the new Duelund CAST Resistor. You can see brief information about Duelund CAST Resistor here and  my DIY speaker here.

I decided to switch back to Auricap few months ago (from a set of Siemens NOS capacitors). I eventually realized that using too many capacitors in parallel may reduce some factor, like imaging and separation. The tonal should be similar, but some other factors mentioned before might be altered or reduced.

Okay then, let’s change the old Sfernice RLP10NI to Duelund CAST Resistor.

After around 15 minutes soldering, I completely finished the modification.

My first initial impression. The music was more solid, good depth and separation, but never got it too harsh. I also felt that it was even more relax in terms of musical pronounciation. If I felt that the Sfernice still has some “stiff” characteristic, then the CAST resistor absolutely very relax, even just powered on for few hours. To be honest, the role of this resistor is very important since the location is on the front of the signal path.

I will provide more experience after several hours. We sill have some Norah Jones, some Chen Lily, some Ingram Washington, some John Campbell, or also some Tsuyoshi Yamamoto.

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Tags: auricap, CAST, DIY Speaker, Duelund, resistor
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Posted on Wednesday, 14th April 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Finally, I change my main transformer orientation, from horizontal to vertical. Not really easy to mount this giant transformer vertically. But here is the result. I’m quite sure I love this new orientation than before

Actually, the best solution is if you can “sealed” the two side of the transformer by a metal plate (either aluminum or copper). But since my DIY chassis is completely “rubbish”, then I don’t think I can do that. Just prepare for a future plan, so I keep the vertical mount position now.

This Z11 based iron with Australia/Germany copper wire is rated around 150VA or more. With current load about 110VA from my preamp, this giant is completely cool for over 8 hours non-stop performance. Damned, I do love this transformer! Sadly, not easy to get similar transformer in the near future (Z11 is quite rare here and expensive).

Tags: transformer
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Posted on Sunday, 4th April 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Before, my main transformer was designed to be mounted in vertical position. As you can see, the L-Shape was designed to be bolted on the main chassis vertically.

Due to some reason, after few hours experimenting, I didn’t really like this vertical position. Why? I haven’t found enough evidence, but for now, I must change the mounting position, from vertical to horizontal.

After few hours on the local electronic parts shop, I managed to find some tools for this purpose. And another few hours to install this and here is the result. Tadaaa… My transformer is ready to be mounted horizontally.

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Tags: transformer
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Posted on Saturday, 3rd April 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Now it’s time to try the Duelund CAST Ag (CAST Silver) on my Aikido Preamp. You might be interested to read the installation process.

Short words, here is the final installation photo. For the break-in purpose, I don’t use expensive configuration. Usually the main source is my old iPod Photo, connected with old hi-fi amplifier, then my DIY speaker. Few hours break-in session should be enough for initial impression. Although serious listening evaluation must be done at least after 100 hours of break-in period.

Some brief information of my Aikido Preamp, if you are not yet familiar with it:

• DIY Main Transformer, Z11 core/38 size with Germany/Australia copper wire (330V-CT-330V/100mA, 0-4-5V /5A, 3.2V-CT-3.2V/5A, 0-90V/50mA)
• Russian 5U4, 5U4G-B, or RGN 1054 Rectifier (available via Octal->B4 DIY converter)
• Choke Input with 3 Chokes total, no Resistor in Power Supply line, except Bleeder Resistor (TKD)
• Jensen 4-pole, ASC, and VCap TFTF Capacitor in Power Supply
• 6N1P and 6N6P tubes
• Russian K40 as filament AC Bypass Capacitor
• DACT 100K Stepped Attenuator
• Jensen Copper Foil Aluminium Tube as High Voltage Bypass Capacitor (inside PCB)
• Kiwame, Riken, Shinkoh, and Vishay S102 Resistor in critical position and Vishay L6C on “not really important” position
• Duelund CAST Ag (CAST Silver) as coupling capacitor

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Tags: Aikido, CAST Ag, duuelund, preamp
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Posted on Friday, 2nd April 2010 by Jimmy Auw

My Sanwa PC510 multimeter has the capability to measure the temperature via small probe. So, I’m curious to measure my tube glass/surface temperature. I test the 6N1P, 6N6P, and 5U4G tubes.

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Tags: measurement, Sanwa, temperature, tube
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Posted on Sunday, 28th March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Few months ago, my Aikido transformer was burned due to my stupidity plugging in 100R bleeder resistor, instead of 100K one. Well, I have ordered another replacement few months ago, but just now I have time (and motivation) to install it. This one is an ultimate transformer I believe, with Z11 iron and Germany/Australia wire. I have big concern on power supply, since it’s the food for your audio system. So I expect good and healthy food, I mean, power supply for my audio equipment.

Due to different leads arrangement with my old transformer, I must do some extra job adding some extra wiring. Here is the result.

Not a bad 45 minutes of work, huh?

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Tags: Aikido, Duelund, preamp
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Posted on Tuesday, 23rd March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

After some crazy on the middle of the night decision, finally I decided to purchase the Duelund CAST Silver (CAST Ag) Capacitor. My friend bought my CAST Copper (CAST Cu), so this leaded me into a final crazy decision, to buy the CAST Silver.

The 1 uF and 630 VDC version of Duelund CAST Silver will cost you around US$ 900 each or around US$ 1800 pair. The 0.47 uF and 630 VDC version will cost about 5-7.5% difference, maybe different between retailers.

And don’t forget you have to wait around 2 months, not included shipping time, to get this at home – even if you have the money.

I was surprised to see that the outside appearance of this damned expensive CAST Silver was completely the same with my old CAST Copper. C’mon I spent over 2 times for this caps but with same appearance? Did you buy AMG with standard appearance? At least I expected extra muffler, some body kits, new xenon head lamps, and some shinny grille.

The only different was, on the backside. You could side the sticker wrote 99.999% SILVER

I must wait several days or weeks, before I can judge this capacitor. But I do really anxious to hear how does it sound!!!

Tags: Capacitor, Duelund
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Posted on Tuesday, 23rd March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

I acquired another varian of Jensen Film Caps, the Copper Tube. Basically, Jensen has 4 enclosure models, the cheap Aluminum Tube, then the Paper Tube, Copper Tube, and Ceramic Tube. So far, I have no interest (or budget) to try the Ceramic Tube, so I take the Copper Tube  (hope I made a good decision).

Inside, all of them should be the same. Just the enclosure is different. But I note a significant different in weight between the Aluminum Tube and the Paper or Copper Tube.

After several hours of break-in session, soon I will held a session between my favorite Paper Tube vs Copper Tube. This should be interesting, since Copper Tube is more expensive, and should provide an advantage – less interference, thanks to the Copper natural behavior.

But we must wait several days, or week, until they pass the break-in period.

Tags: Capacitor, copper tube, jensen, paper tube
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Posted on Tuesday, 23rd March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

At the end or journey where good electrolytic caps is getting more difficult to be acquired, I think I have to consider some alternatives. I love Black Gate and Elna (Cerafine and Silmic), but those are getting rare and expensive. So far, I can live with Jensen 4-pole electrolytic at my Tube HV power supply, but I’m thinking cheaper solution for general purpose usage.

For now, I think this Axial Electrolytic Capacitor from Jensen could fulfill my needs. It’s quite small. The 10.000uF and 16 VDC size is about the size of average thumb. I thought it would be big

I think this gonna be cool for filament supply application.

Tags: Capacitor, jensen
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Posted on Saturday, 6th March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Never seen this one before. But this 12B4 seems like to have a clear top. Anyway, will keep it for my private collection.

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Posted on Saturday, 6th March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Another 6CG7/6FQ7 Clear Top, but this time without RCA markings. Made in USA, though? Very similar with RCA writings. Tested very good also on my Knight 600.

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Posted on Saturday, 6th March 2010 by Jimmy Auw

Must be another lucky day… RCA 6CG7 Clear Top. One of most wanted item. Tested very good on my Knight 600. Will check more detail after my Hickok 539B completely refurbished.

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