Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy was born 94 years ago.

Family Picture, ca. '91

Dad on his 89th birthday with Mom and grandkids!

Daddy and Mommy were soulmates for 58 blissful years in this world. Now they're reunited! 

We love you and miss you both dearly!

Reality Check: Musical Instrument Frequency Chart + A Tidbit of Wisdom from Radiotron 3rd Edition

Musical Instrument Frequency Chart

This musical instrument frequency chart should serve as a reality check for those who obsess about metrics. During the triode era and up until cycles per second (cps) was replaced by kilohertz (kHz), a bandwidth specification of + or - 1dB from 30-15,000 cps was considered state of the art. That old standard actually made more sense if we look at the bandwidth of acoustic instruments in the chart above.

The chart is also a practical reference for all of my speaker/driver/horn articles past, present and future. Likewise, it is a handy visual aid to interpolate the pink noise + iPhone Real Time Analyzer (RTA) app traces even if in most cases they don't correlate to what we hear.😆  

In a couple of instances, an RTA trace has agreed with what I heard. In reality though, pink noise and other waveforms used for audio testing have nothing in common with musical notes and harmonies. Audio measurement is very far removed from the dynamic nature of music. To me, the RTA, audio generator and oscilloscope are tools that can be helpful if used with discretion.

Altec 755A in an Open Baffle

My adventure into high-efficiency speakers started with a pair of Altec 755Cs (and later, 755As) mounted on this very same open baffle. It was easy for me to appreciate the lack of boxy coloration, having lived with Quad ESLs for a couple of years.

Altec 755A in Open Baffle

Most open baffle detractors complain about the lack of bass response. However, the above trace doesn't pale too much in comparison to the Altec 755A + Dr. Bae/Silbatone box and Altec 755A + 618 below, even if it does look ugly!🤣

Maybe the suck out between 250-1kHz is what I hear as the absence of cabinet coloration or the "lack of snap" J-Rob heard?

Dr. Bae/Silbatone Box + Altec 755A

Despite being very compact, this empirically designed box exploits the fullest potential of the 755A driver. 

Altec 755A in Silbatone Box

This trace looks better than the 755A + OB above but not as nice as the Altec 755A + 618 trace below.

Altec 755A + Altec 618

[2 cubic foot sealed box]

A pair of Altec 618 cabinets

The Altec 618 is the classic 2 cubic foot sealed box for the 755. It has to be rigidly braced to minimize upper bass/lower midrange coloration, although some listeners may prefer that "warm" bloom.

Altec 755A in the 618 box

This trace is the flattest of all three. But subjectively, the Dr. Bae/Silbatone box + 755A sounds more neutral and tonally more accurate. I don't hear the sudden rise from 1 kHz and peaks at 1.5 and 2 kHz. 

The Altec 618 box is now loaded with 755Cs and has great synergy with the JLH 1969 clone amp.

Altec 753C

 My exposure to the Western Electric WE757A and WE753C in the late 90s inspired the Altec 2-way project. The sound of those two classic speaker systems was already familiar. They sounded very similar to the 755A with more extension in the low end + airier highs. But what really sent me on a quest to emulate them were: greater efficiency so that I can enjoy my flea powered SE-DHT amps and less congestion (more layering and instrument separation) at higher SPLs. The Altec 753C is the final destination of that journey. 

Along the way, the Altec 755A was my loyal guide for midrange accuracy and coherence, which is why I discussed the driver in its various guises above.

Altec 414A in the ported 753C cabinet

The Altec 414A woofer running in full-range mode covers at least six octaves, from 45 Hz until it starts rolling off in the 3 kHz region. Unlike most drivers of this size and type, this is very smooth-sounding and delivers a great midrange without nasty cone break up modes up to its natural roll off point.

Prior to using the 414A, I had a pair of Altec 419A Bi-flex. I also seriously considered a pair of Altec 416A but both drivers exhibited nasty peaks starting from 1-3 kHz. Now I wonder if those peaks would've been visible using pink noise + my iPhone RTA app? 

I could've studied how to filter the peaks using EQ. However, all these extra crossover circuit complications would've adversely affected the efficiency of the speaker system, which I wanted to avoid. In the end, I stuck with my original plan of keeping it simple.

Altec 414A

Fundamental frequencies below 45 Hz may look rolled off in the trace but the harmonic overtone series (hence, harmonics or harmonic overtones) of the frequencies below the roll off point reinforce the [weak] fundamental in making those lower frequencies audible in actual musical reproduction. The BBC LS3/5A is a good example of a small speaker that "reproduces" low frequencies via harmonic overtones. 

My straightforward explanation: A:27.5 Hz played on an upright piano will produce less intensity as a fundamental note compared to that from a nine-foot concert grand because the instrument is physically smaller and the length of string, shorter. However, that upright piano's A:27.5 Hz is still perceived as A:27.5 Hz by the human ear, albeit less visceral, because of the harmonic overtones produced. 

Due to the 414A's sharp roll off past 3 kHz, the upper frequencies need reinforcement. 

Altec 32C horn + 802D + 20275 diaphragm
XO below

For many years, I struggled to make the Altec 811 horn work in this context. I started crossing it at around 900Hz @ 6dB/octave slope. Then, I cloned the Altec N1600C crossover, which effectively raised the crossover point an octave higher with a sharper 12dB/octave slope. 

None of these crossovers could blend the 414A and the 811/802D coherently to mimic my favorite full-range driver, the 755A. The "shouty distortion" was always present even with a simple 2 uf paper in oil cap + variable L-pad.

Altec 32C + 802D

After several years of frustration to the point I almost gave up, a fortuitous meeting with the Altec 32C horn opened a whole new world for the better.😄 It turned out that the objectionable "shout" I was hearing emanated from the Altec 811 horn.

The Altec 32C horn + 802D driver combo fill in the last 2 octaves of fundamentals + another 2 octaves of harmonic overtones using the high-pass crossover below. 

Sound Practices

I've learned so much from getting to know the Altec 755A, 755C, 414A, 802D and 32C intimately as well as from the other components that I ultimately rejected. 

The countless hours I spent assessing and listening to these transducers individually is a sound practice I highly recommend to audio DIYers!

Simple Crossover

Ever since I discovered the sonic delights of paper in oil as coupling capacitors in the signal path of preamp and amp circuits, I've also adapted their use in crossovers. 

Altec 753C crossover using paper in oil capacitors + Mills
non-inductive resistors
schematic

I've found the RTA to be helpful in adjusting crossover points with the help of a crossover calculator. A simple example: if the sound is harsh, move the crossover point higher. If you need more bite or presence, go lower.

Altec 414A + 32C horn + 802D compression driver  +
JP 753C ported cabinet = Altec 753C

If I were to summarize, the Altec 753C sounds lush and romantic!

Altec 753C 

Driven by 3500 milliwatts per channel of SE-DHT power, these speakers allow me to enjoy Mahler symphonies in my man cave with nuanced macro and micro dynamic contrasts. It gives a middle of the hall presentation which is my preferred perspective. The midrange is warm and coherent with a nice three dimensional quality.

Even if the extreme lows are curtailed, the harmonic overtones produced in this frequency region have enough foundation for big orchestral works. There's a wispy ribbon-like airiness in the extreme top which, to my ears, no longer need help from my pair of Altec 3000H super tweeters.

I probably could've gotten another half octave of bass extension if I chose the 15" Altec 416A woofer, but then I would've run into problems blending it with the 32C/802D horn/driver using a simple crossover. Even if I succeeded in EQ'ing out the peaks of the 416A, efficiency and midrange coherence would've suffered.

Everything is a compromise and I believe I've chosen wisely.

Wanted: smooth sounding 12"-15" wide range driver + horn + compression driver

Although Great Plains Audio is still manufacturing the 414 and 802 drivers with alnico magnets, IMHO, the listed prices are too steep to even attract the attention of the DIY community or smaller boutique manufacturers. 

I've used and highly recommend their replacement aluminum diaphragms for 1" format compression drivers. I've been told that the GPA 414 doesn't sound like the classic 414A/Z/8B/16B and is 3dB less efficient. However, I don't have hands-on experience with the GPA drivers to confirm any of those claims.

GPA is our only direct connection to the past when transducers were designed using human ears aided by measurement tools. For that alone, I want them to succeed!

Radiotron, 3rd Edition Redux

Let's (re)visit a topic that has served the interest of the entire audio industry, except the bottom-line of this hobby - the enjoyment of music!

Sad to say, no one has heeded D. Massa's advice. 

Besides, the test tones used for distortion analysis have no bearing whatsoever to the highly dynamic and complex harmonies contained in the simplest musical score.

Yup, this was 80 some years ago and there still are self-proclaimed audio pontiffs who insist on this metric!🙄

JE Labs Flea Market

My boss told me we are running out of storage space and before I can acquire more audio toys, I have to free up some space.... 😜

Just like the olden days, I decided to revive the JE Labs Flea Market as an outlet for my surplus equipment and other goodies.

Dad

My mentor and best friend

I am forever grateful!

February 22, 1927 - May 23, 2017

Shippensburg Music Festival 2016

From 1999-2008, I spent three weeks of July making music with these wonderful musicians at the Luhrs Center. It was great to be back!

Vidcaps of rehearsals 

1st week

R. Strauss - Metamorphosen

2nd week

Schubert Symphony No. 9 - Finale

3rd week

Verdi - La Traviata

DIY Audio and Music in Tokyo

My fascination with Japanese culture was sparked by my passion for DIY Audio. As my hobbies expanded to photography and restoring an Austin Mini, I realized that my pursuits run parallel with many Japanese aficionados. As soon as we landed in Tokyo, I searched for bookstores to browse the latest magazine issues related to these interests.

I've written about my collection of Japanese audio magazines and books which I used to order from Kinokuniya Books in NYC. 

I found the Kinokuniya main store in Shinjuku. But my enthusiasm was dampened when I found the selection of vintage and tube related audio magazines was rather sparse. However, I soon discovered that the audio department of... 

...BIC Camera

and...

...Yodobashi Camera stock the latest, as well as more recent issues, of Stereo Sound Tube Kingdom, MJ and other Tube DIY-related publications.

Magazines and books are not light, so I had to choose carefully to comply with baggage allowance limits ;)

Akihabara

A trip to Tokyo for an audio DIY enthusiast is not complete without an Akihabara pilgrimage ;)

Furnished with valuable tips from audio buddies familiar with the area, first stop was Tokyo Radio Department Store.

I headed down to the basement and was greeted by this sight.

But I quickly turned left when I noticed this sign in real life. After more than twenty years of trying to decipher Noguchi Transformer Ads in MJ, I found myself at their store.

It was sad not to see traces of Tango/ISO which ceased operations in mid-2013. There were some Hashimoto and Tamura transformers but not the complete line. 

 I came here mainly for their house brand Noguchi Power Max iron, of which they had plenty in stock. The owner seems to comprehend but didn't speak much English. I knew what SE OPTs I was looking for and that kinda broke the ice. Still, I couldn't engage him in a conversation to get an idea on the local state of DIY/Tube audio.

SE 10 amp with Noguchi Power Max iron + more amps

Diatone PM610 reissue, Fostex, JBL, etc.

SE friendly Lowther +...

...Altec 604-8G(?) in an Onken box

I forgot to take a picture, but at the opposite end of the basement is a chassis store that can CNC project cases and enclosures to customer requirements.

Let's go up two and three flights...

TIP: prices are a bit cheaper as you go higher in the building, cheaper rent perhaps? ;)

Parts galore

The custom here is, get yourself a tray and pick all the parts you need.

Then the shopkeeper will tally up your purchase. Neat!

Vacuum Tubes

To someone used to tube pricing from 10 years ago at US Hamfests and Radio Shows, prices here were a bit steep ;)

One Stop Shop
Just about anything one needs to build a tube preamp or amplifier can be acquired at Tokyo Radio Department Store.

Japanese culture is very reserved. They are a very quiet people who minimize talking and maximize working - an ethic I truly admire. As long as you know what you need you'll enjoy shopping in spite of the language barrier.

The Shopping Bag

All within baggage allowance limit - just about ;0

Here's a pair of Noguchi PMF10WS and PMF15WS - roughly the equivalent of the entry-level Tango U808 and Hashimoto HC-203U + a pocket Sanwa DVM. I also got some Alps Blue Velvet 250K and other carbon track pots of different values + miscellaneous parts hard to source in Manila.

Across the street and right under the tracks of the Chuo-dori line is Akihabara Radio Center.

This place is even closer to the JR train station in Akihabara. It has lots of test equipment, electronic parts, tubes, etc. Pricing is similar to Tokyo Radio Department Store but more old school in atmosphere. I saw a stall that had transformers marked Toei which I've seen in vintage Japanese OEM tube equipment sold in the USA in the 50s and 60s. The second floor is a flea market of sorts where items are stored inside glass display cases, each leased by a different vendor. Buyers call on shopkeepers to look at items. I saw vintage speakers, audio equipment, well-made DIY amp projects and even vintage timepieces and cameras. Unfortunately, taking pictures in this building was not encouraged :(

A couple of blocks down and around the corner from Akihabara Radio Center is Kouizumi-Musen or Kouizumi Radio.

Kouizumi-Musen

This store is well stocked with brand new raw drivers, horn and compression drivers, tweeters, crossover components from Fostex and other Japanese makers. They also carry Jensen reissues and Altec drivers, replacement cones and diaphragms from Great Plains Audio.

Speaker kits and cabinets

Tube amp kits and newly manufactured tubes, presumably from China

I was hoping to find a bonsai Altec Voice of the Theater kit which I used to see in MJ and Stereo Sound Ads ;(


LPs in Ochanomizu

Disk Union is a large chain store selling new and used LPs, CDs and other audio software.

They even had a shelf filled with old issues of Japanese audio and jazz magazines.

I picked up a few mono Jazz LPs, mostly Japanese pressings for $2-$4/each.

Due to time constraints, I didn't get a chance to see shops filled with Western Electric, Altec, JBL gear. But while strolling the mid century modern furniture shops in Meguro-dori, I saw this Garrard 401 with an SME 3009 + an interesting tonearm I've never encountered before. I also missed the experience of a Live Jazz bar or a Jazz Kissaten. Definitely next time!


Concerts

The main highlight of our visit to Tokyo were two concerts.

An evening of chamber music at the National Arts Center Tokyo.

Four very fine young and accomplished Japanese musicians along with Maestro Heiichiro Ohyama, violist and music director/conductor of Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, treated the audience to an exquisite performance of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op.18 and String Quintet in C major, Op. 29.

Suntory Hall

Itzhak Perlman and Rohan de Silva gave a remarkable recital at Suntory Hall which was the conclusion of their Asian Tour to celebrate Perlman's 70th year.

At the Suntory Hall lobby with friends after Perlman's concert

The day after, I had a great time catching up and reminiscing about our student days at Juilliard with Rohan over dinner ;) 

Finally, this trip would not have been as memorable if my ever supportive muse wasn't by my side ;)

!!!Happy Holidays!!!