Japan Audio Trip 2015 (June 19 - 22, 2015) Part 2 of 3

My second day in Japan (June 20, 2015).

Thanks Mr Stefano Bertoncello, one of my favorite blogger that gave me a contact

of Mr Takeshi Mikami : Vintage Vanguard.

We've found this website for a long time and plan to visit someday ...

Our dream come true, Mr Takeshi accept our appointment and

his time available for us couple hours before he going out.

We took train to Yokosuka area and walk around there to find his house ;)

Mr Takeshi Mikami brought us to see all of his systems.

Western Electric 15B, 24A with all 555 horn drivers and Jensen Field Coil speaker.

Many cool WE amplifiers, great experience for us.

Cool 2 tonearms turntable.

Next room for MONO lp, use JBL Hartsfield,  Electrovoice Georgian IV, 

Voigt Domestic Horn, Lowther TP-1.

And use bi-amp with all speakers. 

Next room using Telefunken 085a and Tannoy Monitoy 12 

for main speakers to listen Stereo lp.

Next for Rock & Roll with JBL 4350 and D31050.

Next for stereo too with Westrex Acousticlens 20/80, 

Lancing Cellular Horn System, Western Electric 757-A Monitor System.

Partridge MC step up transformer.

The last room we start with Avant-Garde Nouvelle-Vague Quintet 

and the speaker that I want to hear the most, Klangfilm Eurodyn.

Plasma tweeter.

Neumann cutter machine for use as playback turntable.

That day we met Okinawa guy, who came here for listen to Mr Mikami's systems too.

Thanks Mr Takeshi Mikami so much for made our dream came true.

You are the real collector and smart matching the systems.

"We Will Rock You" from your system still in my head ;) 

Japan Audio Trip 2015 (June 19 - 22, 2015) Part 1 of 3

This is my first trip to Japan. Me and my friends booked a flight 1 year ago.

We have only 3 days in Japan for this time,

so we planed to visit the places that's not too far from Tokyo.

In first day (June 19, 2015) after arrived Narita airport, we went straight to Shinjuku area

to visit Mr Toshiaki Kurashima of P&C Electronics.

http://www.pandcamp.com/menu.html

His shop has many things that impress us so much.

He has many hard to find tubes for sell, original Western Electric parts,

re-wire transformers using WE cores, tube amplifier kit and his own tubes !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imsc_J25QmE&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVsRHYSqlfI&feature=youtu.be

Mr Toshiaki Kurashima with his own tube on his amplifier ;)

Sound very powerful,  and lot of details.

His main speakers in the shop.

All of his prototype tube amplifiers. 

So amazing sound in every amplifiers that we've requested him for listening.

His main pre-amplifier. We've loved this design and sound very much.

Beautiful components wiring. 

He's used WE wires in every points even filament power from switching power supply. 

His own DHT power tube driven by Emission Labs 2A3.

Arigatou gozaimasu for his friendship, many good experiences and information in audio.

We're surprised at first sight that he's wearing "Thai" t-shirt.

We will be back here again in next time. Cheers !!!

After that we move to Akihabara area to visit Sun Audio shop.

Many of amplifiers that using Tamura transformers.

Nice experience with their amplifiers and systems. 

Finish our first day in Japan and ready to go next in tomorrow.

Monday Modify : End of Life Phonostage tasting

This is my current phonostage that inspired by "End of Life Phonostage" 

refer to Romy the Cat site.

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/EndOfLifePhonostage.aspx

It's EAR834 modified by improve minor points but much more effective.

Interesting part was using "Air Variable Capacitor" in RIAA equalizer 

instant of normally use like silver mica, polystyrene, film&foil or others.

Result expected for this way is not disappoint.

Sound so airy, more detail, 3D and balance.

I've use Sprague "Black Beauty" / Obbligato Copper capacitor for couplings 

and PRP metal film resistor in almost circuit.

Separate phonostage and power supply.

Using "NEVE" output transformer.

Mesh plate Amperex "0A2" tubes for voltage stabilizer. 

As I mention above with components that I've using.

I think some frequencies cause harsh sound and metal film resistors 

were the points that I want to replace first with resistor types 

that give more warm and mellow sound like carbon composition and tantalum.

Will update again soon.

R.I.P. Mastering Man

Doug Sax (1936 - 2015)

He was a man that had more influence to me when I start collecting LPs.

I've discovered many artists that I did not know them before.

When I saw the name "Doug Sax" in Mastering by ................

I just pick those LPs without any hesitate.

His name guarantee qualify of sound 

that came out from all albums he did mastering.

Rest In Peace Doug...........

Monday Modify : Modification of Sony TTS-2500 (PS-2250) turntable Part II

Already finished plinth for my Sony TTS-2500.

Using 5 of 20mm plywood so dimension was 500mm x 500mm x 100mm.

It's so heavy, rigid and match with the deck.

Cut the hole refer from manual.

Space maybe enough for 2 tonearms.

One of tonearm that will use in this plinth.

Still find the second one...

Western Electric 274 Type Inductors

Normally when you need to use Western Electric filter choke in your amplifier,

first type of WE inductor that you think about was an expensive 241 type inductor.

241 type are very nice inductors and support high current rating in some models.

Use in famous WE amplifiers like 118A, etc.

But if you need to use for lower current rating circuit like preamplifier 

or low power amplifier, you can use 274 type inductors with lower cost too.  

Combination with 307 type inductor too.

Aluminium enclosure with engraved model & date codes.

Also has screened version.

Assemble with only 2 screws.

Raw information but can guide when you see on somewhere.