Just acquired a phono preamp last saturday. Managed to ops check for 5 minutes. Works flawlessly. Details coming up!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Nil updates.. my apologies..
I did not realised till I checked days ago that there were no postings in 2012 and its November!!!
The reasons being, I was busy with a new job and bigger responsibilities, not bigger paycheck!
Then a new job with a bigger paycheck! Still nil time for the hobby.
Came renovations of the house, major! 6 months staying in a rented flat till completed. It is about to be completed with my own lab/workshop and a dedicated audio 'room'! Definitely worth the wait, yessss!
Thank you for dropping by. Will update with pictures... ;)
Cheers!
The reasons being, I was busy with a new job and bigger responsibilities, not bigger paycheck!
Then a new job with a bigger paycheck! Still nil time for the hobby.
Came renovations of the house, major! 6 months staying in a rented flat till completed. It is about to be completed with my own lab/workshop and a dedicated audio 'room'! Definitely worth the wait, yessss!
Thank you for dropping by. Will update with pictures... ;)
Cheers!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
A gamble that paid off- An old gem found.
I recently acquired my very first 'commercial' power amp. The reason being, first it's being made by 'Technics', it's a 'classic' or may be antique as it was part of a system that was launched with my favaourite singer album way back in 1980 if I am not mistaken! It may also serves as a reference to my DIY power amps.. hehe.
It was sold by a nice chap through mudah .com. I did not even test the unit at his place as he assures that if it is not working I can return the unit. I however insisted that the unit be power up. Once I saw the red power LED lit up followed by a faint click of the speakers protection relays, the deal was sealed.
The unit now sits right at the bottom of my 5-tier audio rack. Signals are controlled by another gem that I got which is a Yamaha AV amp in pre-amp mode. The most neutral and natural preamp I ever heard. More on this later. Sources are my usual DIYed CD Transport mentioned earlier and the superb Behringer Ultramatch PRO SRC 2496 DAC.
Due to this set up, my existing reference and favourite Technics SU-A900 MK2 has been taken out temporarily, giving this new line up to prove it's 'worth'. Honestly I got it cheap... ;)
Findings.
Eventhough the power amp is rated at a 'puny' 40Watts per channel it can really drives my RTL3 floorstander at a very loud levels! The most striking characteristics that I found is that the details of low end bass at lowish volumes are excellent! Full bodied, powerful and fullfilling, the kind of bass that satisfies a 'basshead' like me. Due to this new found characteristics, I have been doing a lot of late night listenings with much enjoyment without the higher volumes of day listenings!
So for those with a small listening room and a 'lil bright sound system, this power amp if you could lay your hands on, might just be the ticket in getting that 'sound' that has been eluding you if you know what I mean!
It was sold by a nice chap through mudah .com. I did not even test the unit at his place as he assures that if it is not working I can return the unit. I however insisted that the unit be power up. Once I saw the red power LED lit up followed by a faint click of the speakers protection relays, the deal was sealed.
The unit now sits right at the bottom of my 5-tier audio rack. Signals are controlled by another gem that I got which is a Yamaha AV amp in pre-amp mode. The most neutral and natural preamp I ever heard. More on this later. Sources are my usual DIYed CD Transport mentioned earlier and the superb Behringer Ultramatch PRO SRC 2496 DAC.
Due to this set up, my existing reference and favourite Technics SU-A900 MK2 has been taken out temporarily, giving this new line up to prove it's 'worth'. Honestly I got it cheap... ;)
Findings.
Eventhough the power amp is rated at a 'puny' 40Watts per channel it can really drives my RTL3 floorstander at a very loud levels! The most striking characteristics that I found is that the details of low end bass at lowish volumes are excellent! Full bodied, powerful and fullfilling, the kind of bass that satisfies a 'basshead' like me. Due to this new found characteristics, I have been doing a lot of late night listenings with much enjoyment without the higher volumes of day listenings!
So for those with a small listening room and a 'lil bright sound system, this power amp if you could lay your hands on, might just be the ticket in getting that 'sound' that has been eluding you if you know what I mean!
Close up of the gem - the SE-A808
Sitting 'quietly' and 'unobstructively' at the lower most tier of the audio rack..
Monday, January 17, 2011
DIY CD Transport in a new casing..
It has been a while since I last post!
Had a few projects completed by not much time to update.
Acquired a Harman Kardon HD7225A that is not working anymore and suddenly remembered that my DIY CD Transport is badly needing a new case! Spent about 2 hours 'transplanting' the HK's innards with the DIY stuffs... Here's some of the work done:
Top cover removed. Just a mainboard and transport mechanism. Hoping to use the existing transformer/power supply with the DIYed transport but...
The transformer was 'built' into the mainboard with all the necessary rectifying circuits and regulation.. hmmm
Transport mechanism removed! Several screws and quick disconnect cables..
Front fascia removed too! Thought of using my own panel but later changed my mind. Too much work and I'd rather preserved the HK's look..
Two major assenblies out of the casing, placed on the top cover.
Top cover reinstalled to measure front fascia dimensions..
(This is before I change my mind..)
The CDROM positioned to check for cd tray clearances..
First power up, to check the new display from the CDROM controller.
Whats inside. Just the CDROM, CD Controller and the 12V/5V power supply. This is temporary. Will install a linear PSU.
Close up of the CDROM controller and the IDE cable connecting to the CDROM.
Testing the transport, digital signal feeding the Behringer Ultramatch Pro DAC.
So far superb! Will finalise the work next weekend. ;)
Had a few projects completed by not much time to update.
Acquired a Harman Kardon HD7225A that is not working anymore and suddenly remembered that my DIY CD Transport is badly needing a new case! Spent about 2 hours 'transplanting' the HK's innards with the DIY stuffs... Here's some of the work done:
(This is before I change my mind..)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
5687.. status
After few hours of ‘burning in’ this is what I found.
The microphony of the tube is very tube dependent! I have bought two sets of the 5687 tubes by Tungsol and so far have experienced less ‘microphony’ in one than the other one!
Somehow AC heaters induces more hum, as such DC heating is more favourable.
I have stopped playing with it and waiting for the dual 50uF+50uF which was originally specified to arrived. There is this low AC humming which I suspect coming from the B+ voltage as I have used a substitute caps of 20uF instead of the 50uF originally specified. I was desperate and need to get it running before deciding to get the expensive stuffs or not. The dual cap was bought from ebay and could take anything form 7-14 days to arrive. Item was bought last week..
Till then..
Friday, July 9, 2010
PASS F5
Had the opportunity awhile back to audition the infamous F5, 25W+25W pure Class A power amp in my system. It's DIYed by a fellow forummer. I bought the PCBs.. wonder if I should build one.
Here the pix:
Verdict:
If you're looking for a kickass Class A 'heat' monster, this is it! For Class A purist only. Should be able to satisfy full range lovers. Unfortunately at higher than 'normal' listening levels, my RTL3 is gasping for more 'air'..the 'thirst' that only the Technics that I have can satisfy... 'nuff said.
Here the pix:
Verdict:
If you're looking for a kickass Class A 'heat' monster, this is it! For Class A purist only. Should be able to satisfy full range lovers. Unfortunately at higher than 'normal' listening levels, my RTL3 is gasping for more 'air'..the 'thirst' that only the Technics that I have can satisfy... 'nuff said.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The good news and some 'bad' news..
Okay, the good news is, I have completed the tube preamp, hurrah!!! That was about a a week ago.
It was worth the wait (and the agony of waiting)! The preamp was connected to a discrete 40 watter (nicked name,D'Bomb) and the sound is simply marvellous albeit some issue which is irritating me right now.
One, I have humming issues, then buzzing then 'crackling' issues.. After much googling and reading more about tube amp designs.. I managed to solve the buzzing by opting to use DC heater as opposed to AC heaters. BTW, I have read and done all the do's and don'ts about tube amps building thingy, like wires crossing at 90 degrees etc.
The humming and 'crackling' although very soft and only audible when I am not playing anything, it is just 'psychological annoying'... Since I used some 'alternate' (read cheap and what is avail.) parts to what was being specified in the original design, now that I have heard how good it is and believing that there is a potential for it to become 'better'), I think it's worthwhile to invest in quality/premium parts and I have decided to buy the 'good stuffs' online.. I also found the TUNGSOL 5687 is kinda 'microphony' and it is known for that! There are other drop in replacement for this 5687 but I would not do it till further listening. Since this is my first tube project, I just want to have some experience and maybe moving on to other popular tubes. More updates later..
The casing used (like a metal pizza box) was bought cheaply from a manufacturer excess stock meant for something else.. hehe
Pic shown the preamp during the 'wet-run'. Speakers used was the Gale 3030 floorstander and I could not believe the amount of good solid bass coming out!
It was worth the wait (and the agony of waiting)! The preamp was connected to a discrete 40 watter (nicked name,D'Bomb) and the sound is simply marvellous albeit some issue which is irritating me right now.
One, I have humming issues, then buzzing then 'crackling' issues.. After much googling and reading more about tube amp designs.. I managed to solve the buzzing by opting to use DC heater as opposed to AC heaters. BTW, I have read and done all the do's and don'ts about tube amps building thingy, like wires crossing at 90 degrees etc.
The humming and 'crackling' although very soft and only audible when I am not playing anything, it is just 'psychological annoying'... Since I used some 'alternate' (read cheap and what is avail.) parts to what was being specified in the original design, now that I have heard how good it is and believing that there is a potential for it to become 'better'), I think it's worthwhile to invest in quality/premium parts and I have decided to buy the 'good stuffs' online.. I also found the TUNGSOL 5687 is kinda 'microphony' and it is known for that! There are other drop in replacement for this 5687 but I would not do it till further listening. Since this is my first tube project, I just want to have some experience and maybe moving on to other popular tubes. More updates later..
The casing used (like a metal pizza box) was bought cheaply from a manufacturer excess stock meant for something else.. hehe
Pic shown the preamp during the 'wet-run'. Speakers used was the Gale 3030 floorstander and I could not believe the amount of good solid bass coming out!
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