Mar Roxas + Leni Robredo 2016

Stereo > Mono Line Level Mixer - ***Revised 4/12/21***

Mixing line level stereophonic signals into full dimensional monophonic ;)

Here's a DIY project for mono aficionados that's so basic, I should have uploaded it many years ago. But other things got in the way.

Just like an MC step-up, these are entirely passive devices. 

1" compression drivers - Emilar, Renkus-Heinz and Beyma

Is there life after Altec?

My first encounter with Emilar and Renkus-Heinz was in a discussion at the Lansing Heritage forum in 2006. Apparently, Jonas Renkus was a principal at both companies in the 70s and 80s. Prior to co-founding these companies, he worked under John Hilliard at Altec Lansing and followed him at Ling Temco Vought (LTV) where they developed a new compression driver with a polyimide suspension aluminum diaphragm. A paper on this research was submitted to the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society in 1966. This association piqued my interest, which triggered my search for affordable Emilar and Renkus-Heinz drivers.

Austin Mini Maintenance Woes

As soon as I got the brakes sorted...

...I had the exhaust leak fixed. 

In preparation for the summer heat, I installed the 

heater matrix 

to function as an auxiliary radiator.

I was about to take out the clutch master cylinder 

to clean up the rust, but it was too late.

Now I have to wait a few weeks for a replacement clutch master cylinder ;(

Listening Room - JE Labs

Hi-Fi Lounge, late 2008

I started this blog in 2011 and overlooked the fact that I haven't posted details of my systems. Visitors who remember the defunct site will be familiar with most of the components apart from a change in venue.

Altec 32C horn redux

Three years ago I replaced the Altec 811 horns with Altec 32C horns in my 2-way speaker system. I think I now have an unscientific explanation as to why I've been enjoying the Altec 32C.

Upper Left: Altec 32C, Upper Right: RCF H3709
Bottom: Altec 811

Canon P DIY/CLA

After developing my negatives from our Tokyo trip, I noticed a thin band of overexposure on a few frames I shot over 1/125, as seen in the two pictures above. Eventually, I also lost speeds below 1/60. These were indications that the curtain drum and rollers where dirty, dry or both.

So I downloaded and studied the service manual. This manual is just a reverse engineering illustration of how the camera was built. There are no instructions on how to service the camera.

Even if I've had previous experience restoring a Leica II and a few Feds and Zorkis, I ruled out dismantling the shutter mechanism on this more complex camera. I didn't even consider adjusting the shutter tension. My main objective was to gain access to the curtain drum and rollers which were blocked by light baffles so I could flush them with Naptha and then re-lubricate. After this procedure, 1/125-1/1000  looked much better on the CRT screen shutter test. I loaded a test roll.

Test shots after DIY/CLA

@ 1/1000

@ 1/500

@ 1/250

@ 1/15

@ 1/500

@ 1/1000

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!!!