J&K Isolation Transformer in High End Setup

We've recently flown a unit of fully built high end J&K Isolation Transformer to USA. The user is kind enough to allow us to share his setup pictures with our followers. J&K Isolation Transformer is used to power up 2 stereo Nord One SE UP NC500DM amplifiers. 

It is such a lovely setup. It gives us a sense of Zen and peacefulness when we looked at his setup. Well done, sir! J&K Isolation Transformer's silver fascia matches will with the color scheme of his whole setup too!

Speakers used in the setup are Analysis Audio's flagship, Amphitryon:

• http://www.analysisaudio.com/Amphitryon.php

The speakers were purchased without a crossover. The owner employs active digital crossovers and and DSP with his preamp (pre-processor), Trinnov's flagship, Amethyst:

• http://www.trinnov.com/products/hi-fi/amethyst/introduction-amethyst/

The speakers are bi-amplified (2 stereo amplifiers), using Nord Acoustics - Nord One SE UP NC500DM Stereo Silver:

• https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/product-page/nord-one-se-up-nc500dm-stereo-silver

Each amp uses a pair of Hypex Ncore NC500 modules.

For vinyl, he uses vintage Micro Seiki RX-3300, with SAEC arm. Cartridge is Transfiguration Proteus. He uses Audio Note SFZ step up transformer and Audio Note phono:

• http://www.audionote.co.jp/en/products/pre_amplifier/ge-1.html

Enjoy the pictures!

Tips:
* EI isotrans - better for front end, low power amplifiers, preamplifiers, sources
* Toroid isotrans - better for medium-high power gears

J&K Audio Design
5/12/2017

Ultra Isolation Power Transformer

If you want to improve your equipment sound further and do not know where to work on further, look here! Introducing our... 9th Gen Level 3 power transformers!

Due to the weak economy (We have not seen good economy before for quite some time! Is such thing as good economy ever exists?) , we have been releasing a few lines of economical, good value for money transformers, such as the Zorro transformers. 

Still, our passion, our motto, is still to produce the best possible transformers for audio and industrial use. Our transformers have undergone many generations of evolution (9th generation now if we think of significant improvements. Minor improvements are not accounted), and is getting better, and better, in terms of reliability, mechanical and sound quality.

The 9th Generation Level 3 power transformers now incorporates ultra isolation properties, with the same electrical properties that are available in our ultra isolation transformers (refer this link for more details). 

9th Gen Level 3 power transformers properties:
* high quality ultra low loss GOSS (grain oriented silicon steel) / SiFe transformer core (Hi-B) with high quality OFC magnet wire
* oversized core with fully rated output power and more!
* low temperature rise, no mechanical vibration/hum - additional mu-metal shielding at small cost increment 
* high accuracy in output voltage - further improved from previous - ability to specify the target voltage over the oversized rating for better voltage control 
* Precision Wind Technology, with proper wire tension/alignment 
* Multi-shield Technology - primary ground and secondary ground, and can be separated
* Potting is recommended for further mechanical stability and electrical isolation 
* OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) Copper option is available (~60-80% more expensive)
* OCC Silver option is available too (>300% more expensive) for highest end customer
* bifiliar wound for absolute balance on both arms - or balance power 
* Efficient heat transfer technology, for 24 by 7 operation 
* Vacuum impregnation - standard feature 
* Double C core option for certain VA sizes 

Options / notes:
* multiple primaries can be present at the same time - from 100Va to 260Vac, depends on user's mains voltage, so that they can switch according to incoming level, and adjust the output voltage accordingly 
* Output rails limitation - 5 or 6 sets max, the lesser the better
* Multitap shielding - shielding in between secondaries
* Option to lower current density and flux density to operate transformer at ease
* Lead time may be longer due to the amount of work required to get it right - if you cannot wait, please order from others 

User will notice the darker background, noise free and cleaner sound that they get from Gen9 Level 3 power transformers - benefit from pure, clean, EMI/RFI interference free energy transfer. The only drawback to Gen9 Level 3 power transformer is the size. A 100VA transformer will be as large as a 200VA transformer due to the construction methodology. There is NOTHING (or very little thing) we can do about the size. Contact us to see if there are other options on sizes. That's the price to pay for quality.

One more thing, if you want the best, extreme high quality transformers, you want your design to sound way much better than the rest of the world, look here, and don't complain about the price.. We put all the goodies in to the design, and they never come cheap. Just like you don't expect hawker price on Patek watches. If budget is a great concern to you, get the Zorro or Level 0-1 transformers.

P/S: Usage of Nanocrystalline / amorphous / Permalloy cores on Gen9 Level 3 ultra isolation power transformers

- Not for the moment. Although they are more efficient than HiB or standard cores, the long term mechanical stability and mechanical noise are still a problem for audio usage. For 400Hz power supplies, it should be fine, but for 50-60Hz in household electronics, Nanocrystalline or amorphous cores still have the above problem, that needs further enhancement to function properly in long term.

Check out our Facebook page for the raving reviews. You must not skip this if you want to maximize the potential of your system.  


J&K Audio Design
5/10/2017 
1/5/2020 (updated) 

Professional Shipping Crate

We have heard many horror stories, seen too many videos on Youtube, or even have first hand experience on shipping caused damages to equipment. We have experienced it ourselves too, and have been improving our product packing materials and methodology, to ensure the gears are properly packed and protected before shipment. 

We use professional DJ equipment crate to ship international orders with delicate content, such as amplifiers, isolation transformers, and very high end transformers such as our Level 3, OCS (Silver), OCC (Copper) based transformers. We have been doing this for some time and it has proven to be the safest method for now.

Such professional DJ equipment crate are made to order, and fits the equipment to ensure safe passage from origin to destinations. The body are made with strong ABS plastic, reinforced with aluminum and steel struts, frames and corner padding. Such crates can withstand >100kg of weight on then without breaking a sweat. We even tried standing on it and the structure still holds!

Shrink-wrapped before being packed

All equipment will be shrink-wrapped before being placed in the crate. Since all the professional DJ equipment crate are made to order, the size and price will be according to the size and weight of the equipment. Even the padding inside can be increased or increased accordingly, determined by the content to be shipped. 

Strong Professional DJ Equipment Crate

There are handles on the side to facilitate easy handling for owners. Corners are protected with alu/steel ball-shape pads.

Internal is line with strong foam and padding

Professional grade foam, and optional hard foam can be used as multi-layer protection to keep the shape over the journey.  
 

Crate safety lock

The crate has safety type of locks too, where after the locking flap needs to rotate by 180 degrees before it is able to be released or locked. Holes are available for padlocks usage for security reasons too. 

Customers can now request for such shipping option. 

J&K Audio Design
5/10/2017

DAC output transformer

We have got a few requests to custom make DAC for a few customers locally, and have been researching on how to make a better output stage for I/V conversion for DAC chips with current output, especially differential types. 

We've tried many types, such as Op-amp, discrete, passive resistor, and transformer based. So far passive resistor and transformer based are our favorite. Both these give the most natural and organic sound. 

We've done some Googling, and we found that we're not alone! A few very famous modders (Lampizator) and custom builders (Andrea, and etc) have been promoting DAC output stage with resistors and transformers! 

It just so happen that we do have some ready made input transformers made previously for preamp input coupling / isolation use. It can be used perfectly as DAC output stage.

DAC input transformer

  600 Ohm : 600 Ohm DAC output transformer

• Permalloy EI core, with a small % of Z11 for voicing / sound tuning
• Core size: EI 35 
• Size: 66mm x 3mm x 33mm H 
• Signal level: 3 Vrms @ 20Hz 
• 20Hz -0.1dB to 100kHz -1dB
• Usages
•  DAC output, CD output, Op-amp preamp output, signal coupling (input transformer, output transformer), output inversion use
• Price: U$150 / pair 
• Limited quantity only, left over from mass production for a high volume manufacturer
• 5：1， 10：1 versions may be available, please email 

The simplicity of having transformer as DAC output stage is also something we liked!

 

This is as simple as it gets, and results are extraordinary!

J&K Audio Design

5/7/2017