Monday, September 29, 2014

J&K is taking time-off for a week

J&K sales team will be taking time-off for 1 week from 1st October to 7th October.

General orders placed before 1st October will still be manufactured. Custom orders or difficult projects will be put on hold. All shipment can only be made on 8th October and onwards. There's no email or orders processing on this period of time too.

We will respond to your queries and emails as soon as we get back. Any inconveniences caused is very regretted.

J&K Audio Design
29/09/2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Tannoy Crossover Autoformer

For those playing with vintage Tannoy Dual Concentric Drivers, they know that the original crossover is crucial to the outcome. Some went for DIY path but the tricky part is the Tannoy original autoformer / multitap choke in the crossover. One cannot simply just replace the Tannoy original autoformer with a choke since it is not as simple as choosing just a choke with a specific inductance.

There is EQ in the crossover to match the response of the tweeter that making it a simple crossover just wasn't possible. Having multiple chokes to mimic the original Tannoy autoformer was not possible too as it is not equal to the same thing. 

Therefore, the original crossover is selling like hot cake in eBay. Plenty of theories float in the internet on designing the right crossover for the vintage Tannoy Dual Concentric Driver. One can find dozens of design on the internet but one will question themselves whether they are correct or not, or are just simply junk data.

I'm a Tannoy-phile myself and I have a pair of Tannoy HPD385 without the original crossover. I went for active crossover, customized active crossover, and both didn't sound right to me. Only after I got the original crossover (that cost me quite a bit!), it started to sound like the originals.

For those that are not as lucky as me to get their hands on the original crossover, now this is a good news for you. An audiophile has approached us and asked for a remake of the vintage Tannoy autoformer. A few weeks after that, the modern Tannoy autoformer is born.

Below are the results:






Tannoy Autoformer Potted
This pair is made with 80 Watt Z11 EI core, with silver plated OFC. The potted case provides shielding and vibration damping especially if it is going to be used in a speaker enclosure. This enables audiophiles to build their own vintage Tannoy Dual Concentric crossovers themselves.

For those that do not have the original Tannoy crossover, they can use this. For those lucky ones that have the original, they can consider making another upgraded version with all the audiophile parts like Dueland or Mundorf capacitors, branded resistors and 5N-7N oxygen free copper with this clone Tannoy autoformer without sacrificing the parts from original Tannoy crossover.

They can compare to see if the brand new is better than the originals where some has complained that the original are made with budget in mind, as it is a commercial product made many, many years ago. Now isn't that fun?

J&K Audio Design
25 September 2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

J&K Transformer Review

Another feedback to light up the day for us. :) This is a short review of Mr.J from down South.

Mr.J uses a full set of transformers from us:

* Quad Core Permalloy output transformers
* Super Hi-B double C core power transformers
* Double C Core Permalloy chokes
* Western Electric EI core bias transformers



J&K Audio Design
18/09/2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Z11 Power Transformer Review

Nothing is more rewarding than hearing such good feedback from our customer. He ordered Z11 power transformers for his colleague for an audio project.

That's what we've been preaching - properly designed transformers are much better compared in terms of noise immunity. With our proprietary winding and shielding technologies, the noise floor is significantly lower compared to others. Also, we size the core right for longevity, and with its' low loss nature, it runs really cool.

Do yourself a favor, be energy efficient and love our one and only mother Earth!

If you've used our products and would like others to know the results, please write to us so that we can share it with more people and in turn, more people uses it for the good of all fellow DIY-philes.


J&K Audio Design
9/12/2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

PCL85 Tube Amplifier

J&K Audio Design - Nightlight (with PCL85 Triode-Pentode Vacuum Tube)

Months ago, a fellow audiophile approached us and gave us some Philips PCL85 tube. He initially asked for only a very entry level PCL85, using a pair of very raw guitar amp like OPT for the job, to be mounted on an aluminum plate.

Upon listening to our entry level 6B4G DHSET (on the right) driving Zu Audio Soul Superfly and Usher Dancer Mini-X, he was hooked and wanted his PCL85 to be upgraded to a full fledged PCL85. As usual, our favorite is the Z11 cores and therefore we recommended a full Z11 vacuum tube amplifier.

Enjoy the pictures! Highlights below:
  • ALIS-5SE MK2 - output transformer used
  • Z11 power transformers
  • Z11 choke (good for choke-input rectification)
  • Teflon tube sockets
  • Mode select - Triode/Pentode/Super-Linear
  • Stepped attenuator
  • Oil capacitors for driver-stage
  • Panasonic electrolytic for power-stage
  • Choke-input tube rectified (5X4G and 5U4G compatible)
  • Extra suspension and heat sink for PCL85 tube 
  • Rigid full aluminum chassis with low center-of-gravity wide body

Z11 Transformers (power, choke and output transformer)

Light's off view of PCL85 & 5X4G

Nightlight in action - driving a pair of Zu Audio Soul Superfly

Nightlight PCL85 Tube Amplifier

Nightlight VS 6B4G SET

Deep low solid bass, extended highs, warm midrange, what more can I ask for?
For those with sharp eyesight, they might notice a solid state like amplifier on the bottom of the rack. Well, yes, it was made for comparison use. It is a VERY famous class A kit, built with dual-mono-power supplies and with all the goodies inside. A lot of builders have very high regards for the sound.

How does it fair? I'm sorry. It has no place in this setup. It was too veiled, lifeless and harmonic-less when compared, pale...

J&K Audio Design
7th SEP 2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Super Hi B C Core

2 pairs of audiophile ultimate Super Hi-B C Core power transformers for tube amplifier going out the house!

You cannot find any better audiophile power transformers than this. Other guys usually use Super Hi-B C Core for output transformers! We're using it for them for ultimate sonic advantage over ordinary power transformers. Try it and you will find that your audio experience is heightened to a level you have never reached before.

It never gets warm. It never hums. It gives the darkest background. It transmits power effortlessly, with great bass and airy highs. It is simply amazing.

Time to enjoy some pictures:

Super Hi-B C Cores
Potting compound

Potted Power Transformers

Super Hi-B C Core Power Transformer #1
Super Hi-B C Core Power Transformer #1
Super Hi-B C Cores

Neatest winding with imported (made in Europe) OFC magnet wire.

Weight of windings alone is already 6KG!

Each layer is insulated with film insulators
Laser cut fiber glass bobbin

Transformer bobbins
I'd better warn you. Those that tried Super Hi-B C cores swear that they would never go back to ordinary cores and always come back for more! 

I'm loving it!

J&K Audio Design
5th September 2014.

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

811 Tube Amplifier

More pictures to share - 811 tube amplifier and 300B tube amplifier.

Hints:
  • The value line of refurbished Permalloy C cores are REALLY value for money for entering into the Permalloy / Amorphous world.
  • If one wants significant improvement above the refurbished Permalloy, the Nippon Steel Amorphous C cores are the ones to order. 
  • The Cobalt C cores another foe one must not forget. They are not cheap but they are worth every penny of it. Try Google for Cobalt output transformers to get to know more about them and how good they are. 

811 tube amplifier






300B tube amplifier







J&K Audio Design
2 SEP 2014

2A3 Tube Amplifier

Sharing some pictures of our customer's systems using the Permalloy Quad C core and Double C core output transformers. If you like to share the pictures of your creation using our products, we will highly welcome it, and may provide you with 5% discounts on your next purchase if you provide a detail write up to compliment the pictures as a token of our appreciation.

Sharing is caring!

Machine #1
2A3 Single Ended Tube Amplifier

Quad Core Permalloy Output Transformer

2A3 Vacuum Tube

C Core Output Transformers

C Core Permalloy Output Transformer

Machine #2
Double C Core Permalloy Output Transformers

Enclosed Output Transformer

Copper Base Plate for point-to-point wiring.

Finished Vacuum Tube Amplifier
J&K Audio Design
2 Sep 2014

Product Lists  

Level 0

Level 3: depends on type, size and complexity. Email us for details.
Iso-trans: link 1, link 2
* Finished amplifiers, DACs, audio gadgets, upgrades and repairs - this is not our core business and we do it out of passion. We do not have fixed models, fixed price and we customize for each individuals. The sky is limit of creativity.  
* Our product lines are always improving and increasing. If you do not see what you want, contact us!  
* Please email for volume discounts, distributor and OEM pricing.