In the past I have used a pair of H20-14U for the JEL SE10dx monos project and I'm also very familiar with the not quite so Simple 45 fitted with H20-7Us built by Setup 2 for the November Hi-Fi Show head honcho. Today I will report on the entry level SE OPT offering from Hashimoto.
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| Colors in Kanji |
Technical and listening tests were conducted using the JEL SE2A3DX circuit.
Scope jockeying the HC-203U
(Primary DCR=150 ohms)
100hz
1khz
10khz
vs.
Tango U808 (Hirata not ISO*)
(Primary DCR = 200 ohms)
100hz
1khz
*Tango ISO (successor to Tango/Hirata) closed operations in September 2013.
Aside from a 3.71mm difference in lamination thickness and use of flying leads instead of terminals (U808) these two transformers seem to be technical and physical twins. But sonically they're not even distant cousins. The HC-203U is a bold performer and gives a front row presentation. Given its rather small stature, it has bass slam and definition that I associate with transformers twice its size. Vocals are presented in a lifelike manner and there is enough extension in the highs to give a sense of spaciousness and airiness. The Hashimoto HC-203U is what I always wanted the Tango U808 to be.
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