S.M.S.L PL100 CD player

 

It's been almost two months since I uploaded this video on my YouTube channel. So far, the PL100 CD player has been performing flawlessly and I'm fairly confident to report my findings!

AliExpress Amorphous SE OPTs + Jean Hiraga and the SE-DHT Amp Revival

Altec 406Z + 406-8Y + Madera + Horns

💙HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!💙

To commemorate this special day, here's a recording of Salut d'Amour by Sir Edward Elgar performed by yours truly on the violin, assisted on the piano by my friend and colleague Albert Tiu from our CD Sentimyento for Bookmark Audio recorded in 2000.

PLAYBACK EQUIPMENT:

CD Transport: SMSL PL100 CDp
DAC: DIY nosTDA1541tube DAC + UTC A20 line transformers
Line preamp: DIY 12B4A + Sony/TamRadio transformers
Line Attenuator: Intact Audio Nickel AVC
Amp: DIY 6F5 direct coupled SE2A3 amp
Speakers: Altec 406Zs in Coronado cabinets + Altec 3000H super tweeters
Video by iPhone 12 mini

2A3 Firecracker

GOLDEN VOICE 2A3C

Given the unusual times we now live in and the Chinese New Year celebrated just a couple of days ago, I think this is a fitting upload because according to legend, firecrackers are used to chase away evil spirits!😉

About a year ago, I ordered a matched pair of Golden Voice 2A3Cs from AliExpress priced a little below $100, shipped. Within two weeks of receipt, one tube started arcing. I sent the above TV7 test video to the seller.

Remembering Mommy (1934-2021)

Four years ago, on January 23, 2021, I lost my dearest mom. I vividly remember our last conversation. She was very concerned about the January 6 riot at the Capitol and wanted to be assured that there won't be more violence thereafter. Before we hung up, I promised her that I would call after Joe Biden's inauguration. I never got a chance to speak to her again...

Meditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet
Joseph Esmilla, violinist

Albert Tiu, pianist

Graybar Electric Company

The Graybar Building is a landmarked art deco structure on 420 Lexington Ave., NYC. It was once the corporate headquarters of Graybar Electric Company They distributed the Western Electric 755A, 756A, 728B wide range drivers, 753C, 757A studio monitor speakers + more, which inspired projects featured in this blog.

Audio Facilities by Western Electric 1946 (WE753C + more)

2024 Redux

January: JE Labs Man Cave 2024 + minimalist twin-arm Thorens TD124

February: Line Transformers for Digital Audio + SE171A amp remastered

March: OJAS 529B horn + Realistic Mk8 Idler Turntable

April: Finemet and Nickel AVC + SETUP 2024 (G.I.P. Monitor 1)

May: Silbatone Box Adventures + Shielded Finemet FM-MCT1 SUT

June: Two RCA Derived Phono Preamps + Lycan 3R WP12024 (Part 1)

July: Transformer Coupled Line Preamps +  VAS Audio - SPU/Miyabi/Ikeda

August: Back to the Future - ARXA & NAD 3020 + Kenwood PC350 Belt-Idler Turntable

September: Classic JE Labs in Manila (Altec 755E) + Kutztown Radio Show

October: JE Labs Mono Hi-Fi + Celebrating Steve Melkisethian's Life

November: Hifi Show in Manila + Intact Audio Speakerformer/Lycan 3R WP12024 (Part 2)
December: KARMADON 311 Tonearm + 2024 Redux

Special thanks to those who clicked the PayPal button with their generous contributions and to readers of this blog!

KARMADON 311 Tonearm

Miyabi

In late 2023, Serge Rogozyansky of Karmadon posted his exquisitely crafted Ortofon-inspired 12" tonearm on Facebook. Being an aficionado of bespoked pieces, I was smitten! When I mentioned it to Tish, her immediate reaction was, "You already have too many turntables and tonearms!"😉

Due to an upcoming visit to the Philippines, I had to curb my enthusiasm.

Intact Audio Speaker Autoformer + Lycan3R WP12024 Horn

I ordered the Intact Audio speaker autoformer with a -6dB to -15.5 dB/0.5dB attenuation range based on the fact that my Altec 802 drivers are about 12dB more sensitive than my 99 dB/1W/1M Altec 414A woofers. Other than that, I went into this project hoping that Google would be my friend, only to find out it wasn't!😉

Since I use external crossovers for my Altec 753C, disconnecting (and reconnecting for comparison purposes) the Altec 32C/802 horn/compression driver is a breeze. The 753C-style cabinets essentially serve as bass bins in which the 414A woofers operating in wide range mode (unfiltered) + the 20275 diaphragmed 802 compression drivers mounted on the Lycan3R WP12024 horns are perched on top!

November Hi-Fi Show 2024

 From 2008-2016, I was an annual audio DIY exhibitor and always had a GREAT time!

I highly recommend this event to Philippine-based HiFi enthusiasts!

Visit the November HiFi Show Facebook page for more info!

Celebrating Steve Melkisethian's Life

photo by Susan Melkisethian

This past weekend, Tish and I attended a wonderful celebration of my dear friend Steve Melkisethian's life (1950-2024)!

JE Labs Mono HiFi 2024

Over two decades ago, I ventured into single channel music reproduction to trace the roots of high fidelity. From that whole experience, I developed an aesthetic quest for a certain purity and honesty in sound, which runs parallel with my other hobby of black and white film photography! Sadly, I had to leave that particular mono set up in the attic in 2017.