Posted on Tuesday, 16th August 2011 by Auw Jimmy

Sometime I’m curious how hot your tube is? Well, this short experiment will give you some idea. Different tube may have different thermal characteristic (simple logic: the higher current on the filament, expect higher temperature).

Off course we can use probe to measure the surface temperature. But I’m thinking another approach. So I get myself an infrared thermometer to examine the temperature in more detail. As example, I use Russia 5U4 Rectifier tube, rated at around 2A filament.

(more…)

Tags: 5U4, infrared thermometer, rectifier, tube temperature
Posted in DIY Audio, Measurement | Comments (1)

Posted on Saturday, 12th February 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I dig some of my collection and find some AZ1 tubes. Basically, I have several tubes, but short word, they are separated into 3 brands, Philips Miniwatt AZ1, Valvo AZ1, and Telefunken AZ1. I don’t use P-Socket on my system, but I could use my converter here.

Caveat before reading: This test result is purely subjective on my system. It could be different on your system. Take it as reference only, please

First test is Philips Miniwatt. This tube has quite nice sound. The Ingram Washington’s vocal could be delivered sweet enough. Staging is not too wide, but depth is fine. The piano slightly light, less weight. When I first turn on the High Voltage, I see a blue spark. I think this tube is quite new, so probably need some time to break-in. Overall the tone are enjoyable, although slightly less weight.

(more…)

Tags: Philips Miniwatt, rectifier, Telefunken, Valvo
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (5)

Posted on Saturday, 12th February 2011 by Auw Jimmy

I would rather call this as “beauty in the dark”… No longer perfect in terms of construction, slightly off-center for the mesh and triangle, since probably over 70 years old tube. But… It’s still a nice collectible item. Since the label has gone, from my knowledge, this should be Valvo G2504, but it could be Telefunken RGN2504 also.

How does it sound? Beautiful thick vocal, wide staging, excellent mids, very musical, transparent, but slightly “too powerful” on the preamp section. Added: The low frequency is awesome, tight, and very well controlled. Will compare them with my Telefunken 2004 later. I’m interested to hear the different

(more…)

Tags: rectifier, RGN2504, Telefunken, Valvo
Posted in Collectible Stuff, DIY Audio | Comments (2)

Posted on Monday, 1st November 2010 by Auw Jimmy

In the middle of the night, after finishing my tube rectifier dual socket modification, I prepare some tube rectifier to test the new socket. I think it’s gonna be nice to evaluate the sonic of some rectifiers to

Actually, I have known the winner, although I haven’t compared them one by one on same setup – like this time.

Let’s start with Telefunken RGN 1054 Mesh, the basic or entry level tube rectifier from Telefunken. With the price around US$ 100 or less, this tube is just fine to let you know the special of RGN families. It sounds musical, crisp, and detail. The vocal is nice, although slightly thin. The Mesh Anode version is better in terms of transparency and musicality than the Solid Anode one.

(more…)

Tags: rectifier, RGN, Telefunken, Valvo
Posted in DIY Audio, Measurement | Comments (20)

Posted on Sunday, 31st October 2010 by Auw Jimmy

My rectifier socket got problem, accidentally, the one of the pin was broken yesterday. So I fill this weekend to repair it. Since I used to use Octal and B4 based, why don’t I put two sockets to simplify my life? Yeah, why not?

With the help of my drill and hole-saw, I drill two holes on a piece of acrylic. It’s true that with right equipment, you can get a nice result. Below is the result of both socket mounted on the acrylic. I use cheap socket first, since this is most likely only for fun.

(more…)

Tags: B4, octal, rectifier
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (1)

Posted on Sunday, 15th November 2009 by Auw Jimmy

It’s a cool weekend, we are entering rainy months. I continue soldering my Ultimate Power Supply. Today, I solder 8 pcs of MUR860 and 70 pcs of Black Gate F Series. Done in 3 hours, not bad huh.

(more…)

Tags: BlackGate, diode, mur860, power supply, rectifier
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (11)

Posted on Saturday, 14th November 2009 by Auw Jimmy

Some of you have emailed me asking to finish the Gainclone – Black Gate Power Supply project, and well, I’m about to complete it with some modification. Here is the “sneak-peeks”

The rectification section is made dual, total 8 pcs of MUR860 will be used here.

(more…)

Tags: BlackGate, diode, gainclone, MUR, power supply, rectifier
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (6)

Posted on Sunday, 27th September 2009 by Auw Jimmy

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!

(more…)

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

Posted on Thursday, 24th September 2009 by Auw Jimmy

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.

(more…)

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

Posted on Thursday, 9th July 2009 by Auw Jimmy

After several weeks of waiting, today I receive my most awaited rectifier, the Telefunken RGN 1054. This rectifier rated at 75mA and 300Volt. More than enough to drive my Aikido. I love the mesh plate rectifier

Also, this is my first post with new layout of my blog (only a matter of the width). From maximum 600 pixels width, now expanded to 835 pixels width. More beautiful picture here!!!

For your reference only, the age of this tube probably over 60-70 years old!

(more…)

Tags: rectifier, RGN
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (3)

Posted on Sunday, 12th April 2009 by Auw Jimmy

One factor that makes me like tube is its glow. Well, it’s hard to explain, but some tubes have a beautiful color, especially in dark room. Here is some of them.

Below is the 0A3/VR75 tube. It has red/fire color. Very bright and aggresive.

(more…)

Tags: Knight, Mercury, rectifier, tube tester, voltage regulator tube, VR tube
Posted in Collectible Stuff, Personal | Comments (8)

Posted on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 by Auw Jimmy

Mercury: a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element. That’s what I get from Google or common dictionary. Well, as long as it has good sound, it’s deserved to be auditioned.

Presenting, JAN/RCA NOS 83 Tube Rectifier. Thanks to my friend, Mr. A who allows a nice exchange of this nice tube with over a dozens of my Black Gate (that what’s friends are for)

(more…)

Tags: Audio, DIY-Audio, rectifier, tube
Posted in Collectible Stuff | Comments (2)