SPEC. Ruby Mica Capacitor Replaced in RIAA EQ of Marantz Model 7

After finish modified signal & rectifier section of Marantz Model 7c in 5 months ago.

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/marantz-7c-modify-Real-Sound.html

Mr Shirokazu Yazaki from SPEC Corp. recommend me to test their Ruby Mica capacitor

that custom-made for RIAA equalizer of phono section in Model 7c.

http://www.spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/MC-DA/

RIAA equalizer in phono section of Model 7c use 2 capacitors ; 5600pF and 1600pF.

The original using film type capacitor that has quite high tolerance.

Information from SPEC website claim that Ruby Mica has higher quality

in term of tone and transparent than traditional Silver Mica capacitor. 

Orange one for 5600pF and another in the bottom side.

2 brown capacitors near 560k resistor are 1600pF (1500pF).

After replace with SPEC. Ruby Mica capacitors : 5600pF.

Bottom side.

2 of 1600pF have replaced too.

Result after replace 4 Ruby Mica inside, every good points have improved.

Sound has more dept, detailed, transparent and beautiful tone.

Worth to test & taste. Cheers !!!

Visit Mr Shirokazu Yazaki's Audio System

Last 2 weeks, I just came back to Tokyo again with plan to visit Mr Shirokazu Yazaki's home

to listen his audio system after he had invited me in last time.

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/04/spec-corporation.html

I feel excited that I'm going to hear and see his audio equipment.

Because I want to know how he's train his ears for tuning all "SPEC" products.

And all of products designed with intention both electronics & appearance.

I just met him at old SPEC office and take the train to his home in west side of Tokyo.

His system use bi-amp with DA30 tube amp for mid-range horn & tweeter 

and prototype class D of SPEC amp for woofer. 

In his speaker system, he's use Altec 414 woofer in old Coral cabinet,

mid-range driver is Onken 500MT with wood horn and Onken 5000T tweeter.

All speaker wires using WE16GA from Western Electric.

Pioneer digital players and Marantz model 7 with "Real Sound" modification 

that I follow in his footsteps.

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/marantz-7c-modify-Real-Sound.html

His own DIY tube amp with WE310A as driver and DA30 for power tube 

with shoot-out some of 5U4G rectifier tubes in that day .

Replace and test some of them for find out each own taste.

Prototype of class D SPEC amplifier for low frequency driver.

Many experiments inside.

Yazaki-san describe how to tuning capacitor in output stage.

Nice dessert from his wife, thanks Yumi-san for her warm welcome too.

Thanks Yazaki-san again for his time to made a magic moment with his audio system. 

And more valuable knowledge from his ideas and action.

His system present as he did with all of his products.

Dynamic, speed, detail and tonal balance can describe only one word.

"Real Sound" is all good listeners need.

Hope to come back to his home again soon. 

Beautiful flower in front of his lovely home.

Tuesday Tube : RE144UX Telefunken

RExxx series of Telefunken is a direct-heated triode tube 

that almost using in radio receiver of 40's and 50's era.

Include RE034, RE052, RE054, RE062, RE064, RE065, RE072d,  RE074, RE084, RE102, RE109, RE112, RE114, RE122, RE124, RE134, RE144, RE152t, RE154, RE184, RE209, RE210, RE212, RE228, RE234, RE304, RE352, RE354, RE404, RE454, RE504, RE604, RE614.

Most of them produce really good sound in audio system.

Telefunken also have option and indicate with suffix like "k" mean low noise

such as RE084 & RE084k / EF804 & EF804k / EF12 & EF12k.

I just found another suffix "UX" with RE144 tube.

It is RE144 in UX4 base like 2A3 or 300B tube and use vertical plate like general tube.

Come with information & characteristic curve.

Compare with regular RE144 in B4 base.

Filament glow in the dark.

Will using in next preamplifier parafeed with line output transformer.

Cheers !!!

Marantz Model 7 (Reissue Version) in upper level after modification

After success with modification of Marantz 7C original version.

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/marantz-7c-modify-Real-Sound.html

Another friend who has Marantz 7C reissue version asked me to make it better.

Almost signal capacitors using modern film type,

so many audio guys who compare with original one might not like a newer version.

 See pictures below for 7C reissue version before take modify.

Almost parts for modification like previous 7C except using Ohmite Brown Devil resistors 

in rectifier section for make more "Vintage like" sound.  

All coupling capacitors still using Arizona Capacitor that's the best one for

modify vintage audio gear in my opinion. 

Add 3 oil capacitors for decoupling all supply voltages.

Ultra fast recovery diode from ST is a great choice for upgrade to next level.

Everything that doing above, make Marantz 7C reissue has more musical and "Real" sound.

Not different with original version that I do modify before,

because all effective components are same parts.

Worth to try with yours.

Cheers !!!

Visit SPEC Corporation Office in Cherry Blossom Season

Last 2 weeks, I have a short trip in Tokyo and plan to visit SPEC Corporation too.

Not too large office but high quality product design and testing !

Mr Shirokazu Yazaki and his team are kind of nice & smart people.

I have order him a lot of his Arizona capacitors for my second Marantz 7C modification

after the first mods and other projects were success with this high quality capacitor.

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/mcintosh-mc275-modify-part2.html

http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/marantz-7c-modify-Real-Sound.html

 And also go on in part of distributor for Arizona capacitor in Thailand too.

So many people here can taste this gem easier.

In front of SPEC office.

High quality class D amplifier.

Their Real-Sound Processor.

Part of this order for using and testing to find out which matching in each sound character. 

Ruby mica capacitor for improve sound quality in many applications.

Yazaki-san gave us additional modification points for Marantz 7C and others.

Very impressive in his knowledge and kindness.

SPEC's design engineer in his test bench.

Me, Yazaki-san and SPEC team.

My buddy Tanawat, another co-founder of our startup company.

Yazaki-san bring us to see beautiful garden behind the building.

Our team in this Tokyo short trip. ;)

Cherry blossom season.

When we visit Tokyo next time, Yazaki-san will bring us to his home.

To see his system in part of  DIY audio too. *-*