tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33951210024881012452024-03-18T06:13:23.468-04:00Doctorjohn Cheaptubeaudio: Audio Reviews and MoreCheaptubeaudio has had a long history of advocating reasonably priced but excellent tube gears, particularly Singled-Ended Triodes. This Blog however covers a lot more than SET, and is not exclusively tube-related. Cheaptubeaudio prioritizes coverage of unusual and rare gears, particularly vintage ones, on which little info can be found on the internet.doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.comBlogger801125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-41779676002759675082024-03-03T22:16:00.003-05:002024-03-06T05:16:50.373-05:00Reisong 1:1 Signal Transformer UMI1:1 Signal Transformer Galore, Part IReisong 1:1 Signal Transformer, Part IFirst: A Re-Cap and Summary of Our Ongoing Tests of 1:1 Signal Transformershttps://m.tb.cn/h.5tEgX6jk9D7iZ2eReisong 1:1 Transformer It's about time for a formal write up! This thing (in fact, 2 of them) had been in my Shenzhen system for the longest time. One between the DAC and Preamp; the second doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-28382064675509350402024-02-27T09:44:00.001-05:002024-03-06T05:18:43.235-05:00RCA PB23 Sun Radio CR10 Sony CDP CDS 3000 Sound SalesClick pics to enlarge. Kites hovering above a Shenzhen Park 莲花山公园. A fine fine day, just like my time at Taimonsing!Letter from Hong Kong (24-10): DHT PP Amps Parade!Written in ShenzhenLast Friday, before I attended an alumni dinner, I re-visited Taimonsing, our RCA guru (first visit here). It was an even more astonishing experience, with the singular theme of DHT PP amps only!L, from top, Douk doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-30726059944494944262024-02-25T06:22:00.002-05:002024-02-25T09:45:10.637-05:00Micromega Solo Duo 3.1 ProClick pics to enlarge. Right, in Station B, from Top: Micromega Duo CD3 Transport; Solo CDP; Philips CD771, Duo Pro DAC.Letter from Hong Kong (24-9): More...More DaysWritten in ShenzhenCheaptubeaudio: Overview MicromegaInformative Hungarian Fan Site Pg 1 and Pg 2 and LEEDH PgIn previous episodes I have used a variety of CDPs, mainly the usable ones without hiccups! I did try to operate doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-72667158134537776182024-02-25T03:12:00.000-05:002024-02-25T03:12:16.541-05:00Entreq Silver Minimus Infinity Grounding BoxesLetter from Hong Kong (24-8): ELO on Grounding Boxes and other ConundrumsFor most of my 50 + years of HiFi experience, I have not been a believer of grounding and its ability to remove the high frequency and other unwanted noises that exist in the power grid and around the whole flat. Not until the recent two years, that is, largely thanks to Doctorjohn for letting me write here, which reignited E Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17221344397201901770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-85977361432066704242024-02-18T06:28:00.000-05:002024-02-18T06:28:25.081-05:00Counterpoint Overview SA3000 ANUK Kit 4 Marantz CD60 CDA90 LimitedClick pics to enlarge. R, in use the Revox 221 CDP, Counterpoint SA-3000 Preamp, (Rotel 870BX) and the original Bryston 4B.Letter from Hong Kong (24-7): More days after the Longest DaysWritten in ShenzhenThis article picks up after my last article left off and chronicles what I have been doing in my old house in HK.I'm slowly but hopefully surely rehabilitating some of my gear in HK. I meet with doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-5976670102236161702024-02-13T02:44:00.003-05:002024-02-13T03:16:34.283-05:00UMI 1:1 Sun Audio 300B VT25 ICLClick pics to enlarge. Not exactly on this occasion but close enough. Station B in front. Center, Philips AK601 CDP and Melos 222 Preamp below Sun Audio VT25 and DIY 45 amps. Left, from top, Micromega Duo transport, Micromega Solo, Elekit 8230 2A3 amp, Philips cheapo CD-771, Micromega Duo Pro DAC, PS of Melos 222 and Bryston 4B. To the right, note the Ruark Crusader II in front of the B&W doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-72806129450307196662024-02-13T02:16:00.003-05:002024-02-13T06:15:49.551-05:00Grimm SQM , TPR vs Studer (blue) and Studer (Yellow and Black) RCA Interconnect and matching with UMILetter from Hong Kong (24-5): ELO fails to better "Studer" CableFirst of all, I wish you a happy and prosperous Year of the Loong (gone is the evil Western dragon). Good health and wealth and improvements to your stereo setup!I have always been interested in Grimm's products and I had read a lot of rave reviews of SQM. MRSP is about $5600 in HK, which I think is a bit over my budget. E Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17221344397201901770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-20217476594706061142024-02-10T08:41:00.002-05:002024-02-13T02:19:52.608-05:00Happy Year of the DragonThe Dragon at Taimonsing's den.Letter from Shenzhen (24-3): Happy Year of the Dragon!Happy Chinese New Year to our friends from the global audio village! United by our love of audio and music, we are truly sans frontieres. If everyone just loves music and audio and spend our time on the true things that matter, the world would not be such a messy place as it's now.One great thing about visiting adoctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-48394575230806132192024-02-06T05:30:00.006-05:002024-02-13T02:55:30.572-05:00RCA Vintage Kinney Bluetooth Player Sound Sales PX4 Caudex Plants of Gods Click pics to enlarge. Note the sectioned Horns and well as the woofer enclosures (Altec A5) have the Baffles enlarged all around. In front are the beautifully restored 64B loudspeakers hugging the Ballantyne monsters. In front on the floor a pair of Pilotone KT66 (unheard).Letter from Hong Kong (24-4): The Longest Days, Part IIWritten in ShenzhenPart I, Jan 28th in Chaiwan, equipment doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-81518346066485843822024-02-01T06:31:00.008-05:002024-02-13T02:49:57.875-05:00Sarone Bluetooth Player Canterbury HE EAR 509 Rey AudioClick pics to enlarge. Right, book spotted at WSS. In English it would be Money cannot buy thoughts. I just reserved a copy from the HK Public Library, where it is still freely available (not sure for how long). Surprisingly, the Shenzhen Library has a lone reference copy not available for borrowing (but can be read in house). Letter from Hong Kong (24-3): The Longest Days, Part IWhat goes arounddoctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-70095361996335710432024-01-31T08:38:00.003-05:002024-01-31T08:59:35.322-05:00Douk T8 Pro PJ Miaolai SA-1000Click pics to enlarge. Douk T8 Pro. If this were a US or UK or EU Brand, even one manufactured in China, it'd cost at least multiple tens times the cost! Bottom, Knobs. Far right is the Balance (nice!), which can only be turned by a Philips screwdriver. Second from right is main Volume knob. To the left are 7 for Equalizers. Far left is on-off switch. Behind the Volume knobs and near the tube doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-30931365387780626822024-01-25T05:37:00.002-05:002024-01-25T05:38:59.211-05:00Aiyima A07 Max vs A08 ProLetter from Hong Kong (24-2): ELO asks: Aiyima A07 Max, better than my A08 Pro?Readers know that I'm a big fan of the Aiyima A08 Pro (here). Lately my system has reached an equilibrium that I spend much time listening to music everyday instead of worrying about what I have missed on this and that. Is it perfect? Not really, but I believe my current setup can compare nicely against many setups E Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17221344397201901770noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-58705892121181697122024-01-22T03:50:00.004-05:002024-01-22T03:53:39.637-05:00優美 (UMI) 1:1 音頻牛優美 (UMI) 1:1 音頻牛 (之 一)https://m.tb.cn/h.5SXf9su?tk=zfPQWYBSWYJELO 用英文作的評述雖然筆者已經知道這神器的存在超過壹年,也在自己系統用了超過幾個月,也構思了要怎麽報道,動筆卻是超乎意料的難。筆者是壹個英文音響博主 (系屬谷歌,國內看不到),但中文寫作沒有問題。難的是這個東西對壹般發燒友來說會有點“神”,需要解釋爲什麽要用它。很多人,包括筆者,是所謂簡約派,認爲 ”多只香爐多只鬼“。但是,西方人有壹句話,Simple but not too Simple, 即 “簡單,但不能過于簡單”,值得借鑒。如果妳是屬于相信訊源直入後級,沒有前級最好聲那壹派,可能不需要看下去。先說自己,讓讀者有個出發點。筆者沈迷音響四五十載,因爲常年在國外,造就了我玩了非常多難得的古董和現代經典器材。雖然是個膽迷,但我也有選擇性喜歡現代器材,尤其數碼音源doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-72098353324251215032024-01-14T08:15:00.000-05:002024-01-14T08:15:03.117-05:00Overview Sun Audio VT25 300B Philips AK601Click pics to enlarge. Top, 300B amp built using Sun Audio VT25 kit with minor mods (see text below). The WE 274B and 300Bs are worth much more than the amp!!!!Overview: Sun AudioGlory: Western ElectricLetter from Hong Kong (24-1): Sleepless Night in HKThese days I go to Hong Kong to run errands perhaps every one or two weeks. To avoid crowds, I’d be on the Metro by 6:30 and be in HK around doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-71605975654155102502024-01-01T05:43:00.001-05:002024-01-01T06:11:25.917-05:00Happy New Year Goalbon Audio Grado SR80EClick pics to enlarge. At Goalbon, I listened to the Zingali Bookshelves driven by the EL34 integrated amp (under the black Mimetism CDP on front rack). Flanking the Zingali's are Italian Casta Loudspeakers. Rear, EL34 monoblocks; in center top are the 2-chassis Preamp and besopke TT; beneath the latter phonoamp. Front, on the floor is a headphone amp sporting 2A3, 12AX7 and 5687.Letter from doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-18853627900677444362023-12-29T11:17:00.002-05:002023-12-29T11:17:22.919-05:002023 in ReviewClick pics to enlarge. Top, interior of He Museum 和 美術館, designed by Takao Ando. I choose it for this article because the spiral staircase makes me think of Time, and I extrapolate the "Totem Pole" to audio rituals. Or maybe this is simply spinning vinyl on a changer? Great Photo courtesy of ELO.2023 in ReviewI shall start with our Prodigal Sons.:-) I just heard from Ray, just in time to putdoctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-80878598528689601662023-12-25T05:42:00.006-05:002023-12-27T04:44:40.689-05:00Tidal TalkLetter from Shenzhen (23-17): TIDAL TalkStreaming Jazz and Pop (23-1)First Part touches on some aspects of TIDAL that needs to be talked about, but are often ignored.How I "Stream" By "Stream" I mean I just use Tidal on my Windows Laptop, connected by a USB Cable (Unitek; and how to buy it on TB here) to my DAC (a humble Chinese 1-bit TDA-1305 DAC). No Roon, no Streamer, no anti-jitter, no doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-42182364321580980012023-12-23T06:47:00.002-05:002023-12-25T02:40:46.701-05:00Streaming ClassicalStreaming Classical (23-6): Power Bass!I have listened to so much good music that I’m way behind in my recommendations (even at the rate of maybe only 1 in 10, or 20 that I've heard).Baroque KeyboardByrd is increasingly recorded. We have the Complete Keyboard Music well rendered by veteran harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder and nicely distributed among harpsichord and organ (Brilliant Classic)doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-59896564216393997072023-12-22T07:51:00.002-05:002023-12-22T08:03:23.432-05:00Season's Greetings Letter from Shenzhen (23-16): Season's Greetings!It's cold here, yes, cold. Well, ten degrees Celsius is no big deal to many of you, but here in the Southern part of China, heating is by no means universal, and it's not as dry as the North, so somehow it can feel very cold. Hot Pot restaurants are doing great business!But we are hugely lucky. Our occasional discomfort is nothing compared to the doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-19780217086625259382023-12-16T19:11:00.151-05:002023-12-16T21:01:23.901-05:00To be or not to be - inserting a proper preamp. Less is more?Letter from Hong Kong (23-11): ELO on To be, or Not to be...One thing that I have been avoiding to do ever since I have moved into the new flat is to tamper even slightly with my current setup, which is so well tuned, being afraid even the slightest mod will alter the "perfect" balance that I have achieved. May not be Audio Nirvana to someone else, but I'm very close to mine.Rule of thumb is if E Lohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17221344397201901770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-64178542897603498692023-12-15T05:34:00.004-05:002023-12-15T05:34:53.149-05:00Streaming ClassicalStreaming Classical (23-5): Who should play Ellington?Now re-entrenched, I have been streaming like crazy, even more than before! This issue is compact, but the next one will come in rapid succession.Chineke! fails at Ellington - and Tchaikovsky! But I must talk about something that bothers me first. The subtitle of this issue of Streaming Classical is prompted by the latest recording of the UK doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-30145700155825662162023-12-13T06:19:00.003-05:002023-12-13T06:19:41.675-05:00UMI Class A Amp JBL 4365 K29800SE Air Tight Meixing RaphaelitePreview: UMI 优美 Class A AmplifierLetter from Shenzhen (23-15): Great Food 吃喝玩樂 and JBLAll of a sudden, with a few days on hand, and access to a car, we embarked on an impromptu journey to some nearby Guangdong cities. It was a jam-packed 2 days, chronicled here in order. 天時地利人和,又有两位任勞任怨的司機,故臨時起義,驅車北上,兩天壹夜,吃喝玩樂之際沒忘音響正事。Shunde, 顺德Shunde is famous for its authentic Cantonese food. I had some advice doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-60174163501272070502023-12-04T04:26:00.003-05:002023-12-10T03:09:36.500-05:006N2 Overview BRZ A20B 6N2 6N3C SE Amp Cap Change 6SN7 6SL7Review: BRZ A20B 6N2-6Π3C SE Amp, Part III, Capacitor Change, More Tube Rolling and Preamp MatchingLetter from Hong Kong (23-10): Shawn P on 6N2Review: Eastern Transmission Audio 6N3 Preamp, Part IIIReview: BRZ FU-50 Amp, Part IIOverview: 6N2/6N1 Tube Rolling Guide, Part IIRevised Dec 10, 2023: Preamp Factor section modified. Tube Advice sectin amended.Revised Dec 5,doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-23226730421068426342023-11-28T01:53:00.004-05:002023-12-10T03:13:36.862-05:00BRZ A20B 6N2-6Π3C SE Amp vs 6L6GC 5881 EL34 12AX7Click pics to enlarge. Top, on the amp, Mullard box-plate 12AX7 (on adaptor) and Tung-Sol 5881. Front, from L to R, Valve Art Chinese EL34, East German RFT EL34, Mullard xf1 large brown base EL34, Executone 6L6GC, 6SN7 adaptor.Review: BRZ A20B 6N2-6Π3C SE Amp, Part II, Tube RollingLetter from Shenzhen (23-14): Digging through my Hong Kong Tube StashOverview: 6N2/6N1 Tube doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395121002488101245.post-41859867654567686742023-11-22T06:46:00.004-05:002023-12-04T05:00:57.440-05:00Overview SE Pentode Tetrode vs DHT BRZ 6Π3 6H3C 6N3CClick pics to enlarge. Review: BRZ A20B 6N2-6Π3C SE Amp, Part ILetter from Shenzhen (23-13): Back to NormalPart II of the BRZ amp review has been published. Detailed Tube Rolling and SummationPart III is quite substantial and a must, as it covers Tube Rolling of 6S_7 types, Capacitor Mods and Preamp Matching!Note that basically Parts II and II combined gives an doctorjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11301768655128512295noreply@blogger.com0