Vault Special Issue 2013

Check out JE Labs in the latest issue of Vault Magazine.

Grey L75 + Schick 12"

Happy Holidays!

Altec 32C horn

I've been listening to this horn and liking it A LOT! 

The lineage of this horn can be traced directly to the Western Electric 753 monitor (scroll down).

More later ;)

Hashimoto HC-203U SE output transformer

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.

 

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

10khz

*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.

Fi

30 Watts Street

Soho, NYC

Winter '93

A short-lived (early 90s) Hi-Fi shop located in SoHo NYC owned and operated by Don Garber which featured amplifiers and speakers crafted by himself and other audio artisans like Noriyasu Komuro, jc morrison, Gordon Rankin, Herb Reichert, just to name a few. 

November 2013 Hi-Fi Show

Michael Fremer, NFHS 2013 Guest of Honor

Check out his show coverage in Analog Planet 

Harana/Setup/Tono

Room 446

Harana Audio's 2-way horn system + JBL 2405 super tweeter

Altec 515 woofer loaded in Joey's V-Vent 2 cabinet, Altec 511 horn driven by an 802 compression driver. Harana custom "low loss" crossover. 

JE Labs SE2A3 monoblocks (6SN7GTB > 2A3) built by Joel Villanueva 

Chassis by Harana Audio

JE Labs full function preamp (6SL7s + 6SN7s) in a two tier chassis designed by Harana Audio

Grease bearing 301 in Harana Audio plinth with SME 312S arm and Denon DL103 hooked to a pair of Silk transformers

Harana/Setup/Tono and JE Labs only use AT&S power transformers and chokes from Edrel Sison

DIY Audio Highlights

SE VT25 and SE 2A3 amps by Eric F.

76/6SN7 line stage pramp by Eric F. inspired by JE Labs ;)

Phono stage preamp by Eric F.

2-Way horn system built by Lin and Larry

Scott 710A turntable + Grace G-560S

Turntable and Photom tonearm built by Mandy M.

Tape driven turntable by Mandy M.

Sonus? Nope this is a locally built speaker by Mr. Calara

Another speaker creation by Mr. Calara

Hopefully(?) SE amp friendly speakers from Tannoy

Lin and Joey having a great time

See you all next year!