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

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* 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.

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.

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* 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.

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

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* 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.

Price List

J&K price list for your reference - not all our products are listed. If you do not find what you want, just shoot us an email.

*** Note: This is is outdated. Please email for latest quotation. *** 

J&K Audio Design
30 Aug 2014

Disclaimers:
We may make changes to specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice. The information here is subject to change without notice. Do not finalize a design with this information. The products described in this document may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications. Contact us to obtain the latest specifications and before placing your product order.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
Copyright © 2014-15, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Level 2: link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4, link 5, link 6 

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.

Cobalt Output Transformers

We thought that this was the best we could do - the largest Amorhpous double C Core output transformer - giant C core output transformers.

We were wrong!

We're now rolling out Level 2 Cobalt based Amorphous C cores output transformers! Now that is something exotic and special. Cobalt is a rare earth mineral and is highly sought after. They have the sound of their own too that cannot be found using other cores.

Cobalt iron for transformers - this is an alloy that contains Cobalt 35. It is expensive and unusual to be used as output transformers. It has advantages of having very high permeability yet high handling power with saturation limit with a Bmax of ~24000. This equals more sensitivity to changes (micro-details), resulting to refine sound, and with ample reserve to handle high flux (high signal/power). Take a look at the table of its' magnetic properties.

We do not have to say more about Cobalt based output transformers. Just Google for it yourselves.

Cobalt based C Cores

Cobalt C Cores

Cobalt Output Transformers

Magnetic Properties

Notice the Cobalt steel properties? It has highest DC saturation limit and maximum AC operating flux among all the other materials! With reasonable Permeability that is sufficient for audio range operation, it is one of the best material for building output transformers!

Now, scroll to the bottom and fill in the form to order yourself a pair (or a couple of pairs) of Cobalt transformers before they're gone. This rare earth mineral is getting scarce everyday. We do not know when it will run out as there are very little stock left of such high grade materials.
 
J&K Audio Design
28 August 2014

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Level 2: link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4, link 5, link 6 

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.