JE Labs

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Fuga y Misterio by Astor Piazzolla

Transcribed for piano trio by Albert Tiu

Albert Tiu, pianist

Joseph Esmilla, violinist

Sean Katsuyama, cellist

Thursday, March 24, 2011

November 2010 Hi-Fi Show

Harana/Tono/SETUP collaboration

Passive tri-amplified mono system

Harana SOLENN mono-speaker:
4.5-way w/ ambiance tweeters in tri-amp configuration
Altec 1803 multi-cell midrange horn
Dual midrange drivers: Altec 291 (phenolic diaphragm/alnico magnet) +JBL-LE85
ALTEC LANSING COAX T3000 tweeter w/ 416A 15” woofer
WESTERN ELECTRIC D150 15” woofer

Passive tri-amplified mono speaker engineered by Joey of Harana Audio

Garrard 401 in Harana Audio plinth

Right: FR25 tonearm/Ortofon SPU mono

Center/back: 12" Gray viscous damped tonearm + Tannoy variable reluctance cartridge (LP + 78) courtesy of Rofiel

JEL mono preamp + SE10 amp = JEL mono integrated SE210 amp

The JEL mono integrated has a buffered preamp output simultaneously connected to the integrated

SE210 amp driving the Altec 1803 multi-cell horn midrange drivers and ambient super tweeters

Harana JIO dual mono SE300B amp:

each channel driving the Altec 416 woofer + Westrex/JBL D150 woofer respectively

6SN7 input > 6SN7 driver > 300B >Tango XE60-3.5S OPTs = 8 watt
Dual mono volume control/ DRD (Direct Reactance Drive Output)
Edrel Sison power xformer, 6 chokes on a Kamagong (Philippine Ebony) base

Stereo source: Tono Erotique

All tube phono stereo stage with built in MC step-up transformer
A pair of 417A/5842 tube first stage –passive RIAA-
Western 407a tube second stage
Edrel Sison power xformer with M6 lams

Garrard 301 grease bearing in Harana Audio crafted plinth with FR tonearm with either SPU or DL103

feeding the Erotique preamp connected to the line level section of the JEL mono integrated SE10 amp

The system - LIVE!

Icing the cake ;)

After show dinner

Setup 2 with his darling Leic'a bids you.....'til the next show!

Visit wiredstate.com!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Olympus Pen E-P1

Why shoot digital?
Instant gratification!

I've gone through three digital point and shoot cameras: Fuji 1.3 MP which I inadvertently left in a coat pocket and thrown in the washer, quickly replaced by an Olympus 2.1 MP and then a Lumix FX01. All of them served my web/internet needs but practically useless for serious photography specially in hand held low light/no flash situations.

Being a Leica and clone enthusiast, DSLRs were out of the question since my M and LTM lenses will become redundant. Besides the Leica M8, M8.2, M9 and even the Epson RD-1 are out of my league.

E-P1 + CV Nokton 50/1.5

So I patiently waited for a digital body that is adaptable to Leica RF compatible lenses. The Lumix G1 m4/3 was introduced in late 2008 but the DSLR look was a big turn off.

Finally during the '09 Holidays I saw an ad for an unloved E-P1 which has received lukewarm reviews due to slow auto focus, lack of an electronic viewfinder and etc...but those features didn't really matter to me and praises for its in camera JPEG quality was a plus since I would rather develop film rather than process RAW.

The price was right...

...so I took the plunge!

Helios VF just for show ;o)

It's been over a year and I am a satisfied user despite the 2x crop factor and LCD only viewing...but still shooting a lot more grain than pixels.

Buying a used EP? This shutter count thread might be useful.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

JEL SE10 amp

A Harana Audio/JE Labs collaboration

After the November 2009 Hi-Fi Show, a friend commissioned a pair of mono block SE10 amps. Given my busy concert schedule I needed the expertise and assistance of our friend Joey of Harana (Serenade in Filipino) Audio for the chassis and woodwork.

Me and Joey drafting the layout and marking pilot holes

Hashimoto H20-14U output transformers, C10-10W chokes

+ proudly Filipino wound power transformers on M6 laminations by Edrel Sison

Wiring, scope and ear testing at the attic

E-P1 + Summicron 50/2-IV

JEL SE10 monoblocks' new home driving (1600mW per side!) PHY-HP drivers in Hans Kortenbach enclosures

E-P1 + Summicron 35/2-I

Thanks for waiting and happy listening!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Harana/Tono/SETUP

Harana = Serenade

Tono = Sound

SETUP = Single Ended Triode Users of the Philippines

Canon P + CV 35/2.5
APX100/Diafine

Music lovers, audio hobbyists, culinary enthusiasts, wine/watch connoisseurs, camera buffs.....cool bunch of dudes in pursuit of the finer things in life!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Retro Motoring

Retro'ed Mini 1000

Olympus Pen E-P1 + Jupiter 3

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Cavatina by Nicanor Abelardo

Joseph Esmilla, violinist

Rudolf Golez, pianist

Monday, February 21, 2011

Dad's camera...

...acquired in Tokyo in 1963 while on a concert tour of Asia.

Featured in Manila Camera Style - thanks Johann!

My parents were expecting their first brat...

...me.

The camera originally came with a tripod, self timer and light meter. Apparently this little brat destroyed the light meter which eventually got lost..

Family picture ca. '68

ca. '79

Dad taught me the basics of photography on his Penta J with the aid of a Sunny 16 guide found in film boxes.

More pictures taken by my dad

My parents on their 50th Anniversary, December '08

Leica M6 + Summicron 35/2-1
Acros 100/Diafine

Friday, February 18, 2011

Dog chases the Mini...

Dog chases Mini

Olympus E-P1 + Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f4 LTM

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

November 2009 Hi-Fi Show

Mono minimalist

Cast of characters

Bessa R + CV Nokton 50/1.5
HP5+/Diafine

Lin - classic speaker guru par excellance and Rofiel - mono aficonado

Rofiel found this Jensen M10 field coil 13" driver (OEM WE TA4151 - more info) stashed in an ancient garage 120 kms. away from Manila

I revived the tube rectified power supply with fresh Sprague ATOM capacitors. Since original replacement cones are unavailable, we took it to Lin for restoration.