In This Year, The 2020

It almost the end of year 2020 and I think this year is the toughest year of all. This is because of the pandemic and the world changes on how we used to be. It definitely impact to myself which since early 2020, I start working at home. I felt thankful for the job I still had since lots of peoples out there lost their job.

I always try to think positive. I hope you all do the same too with this situation and hopefully this pandemic will be over soon.

This post is the summary to what I've done this year 2020 and what is my top pick for the audio gears I reviewed so far.

Nichicon Muse KZ Capacitor Review For Gainclone Amplifier

Despite the debatable discussion regarding the capacitor upgrade are actually give a beneficial improvement or not, hence from my experience, the correct upgrade of the capacitors sure can give such sound quality improvement.

If I looking to the top-end audio product, they are very selective to put the audio capacitor on their product. Let's say the CD player Marantz using many Elna Silmic on both signal and power capacitors. This decision sure have a reason for the audio improvement.

In this post I will do an upgrade only on the power capacitors in my Gainclone LM3886 amplifier here which previously using standard Nichicon VZ(M) capacitor and now will be upgrade to the Nichicon Muse KZ.

Apple Universal Dock A1371 Teardown

Two months ago, I bought the new model Apple Universal Dock. It sound good through the line out to my home audio system.

This Apple Universal Dock model number is A1371 and can be spotted easily with nicer aluminum remote control built in the package. You can read my full review here. I using this Apple Universal Dock with my iPod touch which already have WAV music files on it and guess what, I am more convenience listening music from it. Just press the power or the home button from the iPod and find the music you want to hear. I turn on my amplifier and turn up the volume knob fully then I sit on my comfy sofa and let the remote control on hand control the volume up and down. This remote can do the next or previous music track al well. At the end of the music album, the iPod will be turn OFF automatically, I just need to power off the amplifier to turn off my system completely. It is so simple.

Then, across my mind, what the components inside this Dock? What makes this Dock sound better than the older model? I cannot find the internal picture of this model, except the older Apple Universal Dock A1256 already teardown on ifixit.com here. So here is the teardown process.

Massdrop Objective 2 Headphone Amplifier (Part 2) Components Upgrade

My previous post about the Massdrop Objective 2 headphone amplifier review is very positive. I had a great result on sound quality aspect especially when combining with the DAC that having the same size of it, is the Massdrop Grace design SDAC.

Both unit still considerably small and can be carry around. Especially since there is 2 batteries slots provided inside of the O2 amplifier casing. So I think it will become a portable amplifier after all if I put the batteries on it.

So here is the progress, including some components upgrade that I think will gives a better sound quality.

Massdrop Objective 2 Headphone Amplifier (Part 1) Review

Two month ago I had review the Massdrop Grace Design SDAC here and probably this is the best sounding DAC under US$100 so far. But having this Grace SDAC alone is not complete if I am not stack it with the amplifier on the top of it.

And here it is, the Objective 2 headphone amplifier with the exact dimension with the Massdrop Grace Design SDAC. I think they are build to stack together.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 6) Battery Powered

This month posting is full of hybrid vacuum tube amplifier.

The title said headphone amplifier is actually not quite suitable because this amplifier cannot drive high impedance headphone very well. But for sensitive and low impedance earphones like Sony MH1C, it work very well.

On the previous part about the building process of this pocket size vacuum tube amplifier is intended for the experimental project using 2 AA type batteries. This is not enough juice from those little batteries to drive the tube heater. Then the name portable will not suitable because at the end it still using external power adapter.

I keep try to find the best way to make this vacuum tube amplifier portable. This could be achieve by using the batteries. So here I am building the batteries pack for this vacuum tube headphone amplifier.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 5) Nichicon Audio KA Capacitor Review

As we are know the capacitor playing major role in audio equipment. It smoothing the ripple from power supply and for most of application is at DC blocking so only the audio signal can be pass through. The capacitor is also become an evil, meaning it dispute for the effect from overall sound performance. One may agree but many others don't and it is really okay because this audio hobby is an art to discover the best sound possible. This is including improving the components quality and one of them is changing the evil itself.

So on my hand is a quite new capacitor from Nichicon. This is KA type for audio and I eager to know how it perform.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 4) Upgrade Using Foxconn Mini Jack

This hybrid vacuum tube headphones amplifier has comes in 3 part. I don't have any planning to make an additional post about this but because it sound so good and beyond my expectation, so why not to make some update posting.

For pass few days, I have listen from this little vacuum tube amplifier and it is a new listening experience for me. In the initial built, I am using cheap 3.5mm socket connector. This is very common to use cheap components for the first trial and upgrade it latter. But with this outstanding result, I can spending more for the better components.

So in this post I will return this amplifier to my working desk and make an upgrade on the 3.5mm socket is now using Foxconn.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 3) Desktop Amplifier

On the previous post, I failed to make this hybrid vacuum tube amplifier works by only using 2 AA batteries as the power source. This is because not enough power to crank up the tube heater.

So going to the Plan-B, which is back to the basic schematic. This hybrid vacuum tube amplifier will using 12 volt DC wall adapter and with all components are all the same. The voltage inverter module will be remove and now using LM317 voltage regulator for the tube heater instead.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 2) The Building Process

This post is continue from my previous post about the photo teaser of hybrid vacuum tube amplifier.

In this post I will share the building process in detail, including the building idea and schematic.

Building this hybrid vacuum tube amplifier require the skill not only on electronic, but skill to work with small parts, including cutting and sanding material. I should also make some improvisations to make all components fit into this small candy tin. More over, there is no PCB available for this amplifier. So I made with an universal board and all components are connected in point-to-point using each components leads.

At the end, this is just like the real vacuum tube amplifier building. I spent about more than 6 hours building this amplifier, with the result I review at then end of this post.

Hybrid Vacuum Tube Headphones Amplifier (Part 1) Photo Teaser

I saw a photo somewhere similar to what I have done right now.

A small candy tin built for a headphone amplifier and it only powered with 2 AA bateries.

But it is not just an ordinary solid state amplifier, instead it has a vacuum tube inside. It also not the small miniature vacuum tube, but it is a full size vacuum tube you normally see in the home amplifier.

This is a new project for me, especially building a vacuum tube amplifier in this pocket size using candy tin. This amplifier will driving a headphones or earphones and it should be sound good, like what a vacuum tube amplifier sounds like.

Massdrop Grace Design SDAC Review

For the past 10 years, the DAC in portable audio system is become more popular. It is because the DAC gives the most impact to the overall sound quality in the audio system. That is why changing one DAC to another will also changes the characteristic of the sound.

For sure, each DAC will sound differently. It not just because of the type of DAC chip itself, but the digital receiver before the DAC is playing the same important role in sound quality. The digital receiver also determined the capability of the DAC to read variety music files format. More over the DAC chip right now are super efficient. It only required small amount of power to run it.

In this post, I will reviewing this Massdrop Grace design SDAC. It is a desktop DAC, means you need to connect it to the external amplifier. It has fixed line output and it doesn't required any external power supply. It shares and draw the power from the USB input source.

Let's take a look.

Revisiting 2 Way SB Acoustic Speakers System

Two years ago, I made 2 way speakers system using a local brand drivers. It is SB Acoustic SB16PFC25-08 for the woofer and SB19ST-C000-4 for the tweeter. The speakers finished and the sound is amazing. It become my reference speakers to listen the music in my audio system.

I wish you followed my blog about building this speakers in Part 1 Part 2 Part 4 and Final Part. I explain all steps when building this speakers.

Times passes very quick since that built until one day, on my daily listening session, I  think the cross-over point is all correct and I can start to glued it inside the speakers box.

So here I am today, visiting this speakers again.

Latest Apple Universal Dock Sound Better

I put the name 'Retro Tech' on this post headline is actually for a 15 year ago Apple product. Perhaps the name 'Retro' is suitable for every digital technology for more than 10 years old. Like this iPod portable music player, the lifetime was passes. I guess right now, no one use iPod for playing music anymore.

The Apple product with older 30 pin connector start to extinct as well. I am quite remember I got my first iPod, it is the 5th gen from my saving at my job in 2003. It is sound good and later on I was told that this model is the best sounding iPod so far because it is using the Wolfson DAC inside.

Today, so many portable digital media player around. They are more advance in reading many hi-res audio file and yet affordable. Sadly the iPod and all Apple product today still stick to its Apple Lossless format or WAV.

The iPod may be left behind right now, but for me, the user interface is the best among the others. You will agree with me for sure. I remember I had a dream in my early years using the iPod is having all their accessories. The one I really want is the Universal Dock connect to my home stereo system. It is very expensive at that time, but lucky today, I still can get the brand new for very affordable price. This newer version Apple Universal Dock is sound better compare to the previous model. So let's see it closer.

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 6) Output Film Capacitor Upgrade

Continue from the previous upgrade of the Bottlehead Crack amplifier using the Speedball kit, in my opinion, it is a worth upgrade from the standard version, especially if you really like the sound of this amplifier out of the box. Speedball upgrade doesn't change the sound signature, but it makes the background noise reduce.

Then, the further upgrade is of course by changing the output capacitor. The electrolytic type capacitor using in the original Bottlehead Crack package is well known for unstable and low tolerance in the value, yet high ESR that impact to the sound quality. Since this output capacitor is the vital components in this Bottlehead Crack amplifier, then changing with the better quality will improve the sound quality, I hope:)

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 5) Speedball Kit Upgrade

Since last month, I spent so much time listen to the music with this great sounding vacuum tube amplifier.

I got this unit in second hand condition so it is required for me to clean up when it comes to my desk. I also checked the internal circuit, which the previous owner make some changes for no particular reason compares to the original schematic.

More about this amplifier, it is released around 2013. It is very simple vacuum tube headphone amplifier schematic called the Bottlehead Crack headphone amplifier. This is actually a DIY project and comes with very clear step by step online instruction. So far I am very satisfied with the sound quality and I don't think there is no need for me to make any upgrade.

But for aiming the perfection, I guess spending a little bit cash for this additional kit is rewarding.

Let's see this Speedball Kit Upgrade:)

Beyerdynamic T1 Headphone Review

This Beyerdynamic headphone I got here is the first generation of T1 lineup.

It is in used but still in good condition. A little bit tear at the head band leather but I guess it quite common for every headphones that using leather material.

This T1 is top line series in the Beyerdynamic headphones line up. The difference with the latest version is only on the minor appearance update. As you maybe know that I also had a review about the others series of Beyerdynamic, is the DT880 here. The Beyerdynamic DT880 sound presentation for me is too flat and too much treble details that makes me dizzy.

Then, with this T1 on hands, I really curious on how it deliver the music.

2020 Budget Portable Audiophile Recommendation

You might read my previous post about the same content like this here but that is the recommendation I made in 2017 is not for everyone. It is more intended for person like me who already had many CD collection and grew in 90's era which CD is a holy grail for good music. One simple reason for that recommendation is for people who more than happy to listen the music at home, at their lovely chairs, rather having on-the-go music experience. Of course it is also an earphones recommendation that more friendly as an entry point to audiophile world rather than the bulky speakers.

So, here is today, the year 2020 that pass slowly because of the covid-19 pandemic everywhere, I still make this budget audiophile recommendation, which actually I had prepared already since the beginning of this year. This recommendation is likely for everyone but more emphasis to youngster which attached with their smartphones and more mobility.

How To Setup Car Audio 7 Band EQ Using RTA

Some simple audio improvement are actually free. This applied to all audio system, not only at home, but also in the car. For instance, the car audio by nature has all audio feature on the head-unit itself to tuning the sound as we like to hear. The most cases, we are using it to improve the bass and treble based on what we think it is makes sound better. But mostly it turn out to become an awful sound quality. In this post, I will share some tips to make an adjustment on your car head unit EQ properly. It is more likely professional approach that you will find in audio workshop and it is not only makes the EQ setting close to match with the car environment, but it rewarded with better sound as well.

The Alpine 3506, A 35 Years Old Car Amplifier Today

While I am having a little break to work on the Bottlehead Crack headphone amplifier, I suddenly find this little gems.

This is an Alpine 3506 stereo car power amplifier that you only can find it brand new 35 years ago and fortunately I still can find it today with all the original accessories completed. So, it is a nostalgic moment, as I always said, opening the new old stock product is just like having a time machine.

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 4) More Review

It is been a while since I listen to this Bottlehead Crack Headphones amplifier.

You can follow this link when I received it at the first time here, then the cleaning process here, and when I replaced all the vacuum tube with the new old stock Tungsol 5998 and GE 5814 here.

This Bottlehead Crack amplifier is a very simple circuit with the output transformer-less design. I can say that I become a solid-state guy for a long time because building a vacuum tube amplifier is expensive for the vacuum tube itself. Then the good transformers is even more expensive to buy. But that is not the case with this Bottlehead Crack amplifier.

If you want to listen the music with better sound quality and definitely want your headphones to have a good amplifier to pair with, then you should consider to have this Bottlehead Crack amplifier.

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 3) Tube Upgrade Using Tungsol 5998 & GE 5814

Yesterday, I just finished the restoration process of this Bottlehead Crack amplifier. This is just like a new unit with few upgraded audio parts on it. I enjoy the music from it, especially when I paired with the Sennheiser HD600 headphone, it is sound so good.

After quite some time, there something bothering me. It is the hum idle noise. Although it is small noise but id I can going lower hum, then this would be better. This problem could be cause from those vacuum tube. I don't know how long this vacuum tube has been used previously and I guess replacing them to the new one is a good investments and upgrade to this amplifier.

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 2) Cleaning Process

On my previous post about this Bottlehead Crack amplifier that bought by my friend is in the very dirty condition.

The most scary things is the rust on top of the power transformer. The wooden box also break into 2 pieces when it comes to me. I think this is not quite common for the second hand condition like this.

That is why in this post, I will clean it up and make it like new.

Bottlehead Crack Headphones Amplifier (Part 1) Introduction

This Bottlehead Crack headphones amplifier is not a new news but still hot for sure.

For some reason, this amplifier is always praised by DIY'ers as the best headphones amplifier kit available so far. Not just because it is using vacuum tube, but it is sound good.

This Bottlehead Crack headphones amplifier is sell in a kit and luckily for you living in States, this kit can be obtain with the ease. But not for me living in Asia, the delivery cost for this amplifier will high and takes so much time. This Bottlehead Crack amplifier in this post here is lend by my friend. He bought it in used condition and he is willing to bring it to my house yesterday to let me check it first.

My quick inspection, this unit is all original component, nice layout, simple design, and quite dirty for sure.

I will cleaning it up in return and maybe some cosmetic upgrade later on.

Digital Source Sound Matters? Digital Output CD Player VS Smartphones

I grow up in the era from pure analog to digital music source.

The era when a portable cassette player is a holy grail for all kids and CD's is for some people with the deep pocket.

That time has passes and it moves so fast from the CD to all today music is in digital format, without any physical items anymore. While I am enjoying the simplicity of non-physical digital audio system, I still collecting CD's.

Recently I bought some CD's, it is in used condition and the reason I bought them is because I am very familiar to the artists. Then when I want to to playback that CD right away, it is not very convenient for me to convert the CD's to digital audio format in the first place. So the solution is quite complicated, I should pull out my old DVD player and connect to my home stereo system only to listen the music from those CD's. Later on, I found something interesting in sound quality when comparing both of them.

Apple iPhone 11 Sound Quality

You may know that the Apple create the iPhone and it is superior to the sound quality. Especially in that era of 2000's where the portable audio player are dominated by low quality MP3 and the coming of this iPod makes the high-resolution audio player with easy to use is floating to the surface again.

Today the iPod is replaced by the iPhone which focusing on the camera and display quality. Not a bad moves from Apple but for us, the music lover, it seems they put our needs behind. With so much today improvement in the music files, until right now, the Apple Music apps still cannot playing hi-resolution audio files. (later on they improved it with lossless and spatial audio, finally)

Not a big deal if you already subscribes the others streaming high resolution music apps like Tidal or Qobus, but the subscription fees is pricey and not all country available.

I am not a loyal person on some brand but sometimes I still want the Apple Music. The user experience is very intuitive and I love to using it. That is why recently I bought the iPhone 11. It is already on my hands for the last 2 month and I am happy with it. The reason I make a post about this iPhone is I want to share my thought about the sound quality out of the box.

DIY Desktop Headphone Amplifier For Cheap

Since early this month, I am back to work with this 'new normal' situation. In my opinion it is still not a normal condition which I should extra taking care all my stuff to be cleaned before entering my office or my house. I also immediately take a shower after going back from work, then I usually clean my house since no helper occupied during this Covid-19 situation. I am quite busy at work to be honest and also with extra cleaning job at home.

The point is, right now I had so little time playing with my audio stuff.

Few days ago I grab my audio gear again and play my favorite music. If you know my review here about the Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones, you know this headphones is not for my taste. The high frequency to sharp and somehow less engaging to the music. I do some mixed and match amplifier with this headphones and I got a suitable amplifier for it. It is not more than a Cmoy amplifier with regulated power supply. It is cheap to built one and I guess I should recommend you to do the same if you want your Beyerdynamic headphones sounds better.

Furutech FP-704 & Silver Coated Headphones Cable

The cables that comes from the headphones you bought are mostly doing fine to transfer the audio signal from source to the drivers. More over, the higher prices headphones will give you the good quality cables option in their package. They are okay and preferable for ease when using them.

Then for anyone who want improve the sound quality from the beloved headphones for sure will aim to upgrade the cables first. This is the most easy and affordable way to upgrade.

But is it will improved the sound quality?

Well, no need debating about this issue. In this post, I will try the new DIY headphone cable.

Audio Technica ATH-R70x Review & Compares To Sennheiser HD600

I had reviewed the Beyerdynamic DT880 here and sadly the sound quality is not meet my expectation.

It is a good headphones but not good enough if I compare to Sennheiser HD600. And if you ask me if I am a fan of the Sennheiser HD600, yes it is. Not the brand but is the sound quality that makes me loved it. Still, I always open up my mind to have another headphones that could sound better.

In this post, I will talking about the Audio Technica ATH-R70x. This is one of bellow the radar for headphones and I guess it is worth to try. For sure I am not the first person to review this ATH-R70x and that means a benefit for me to screening what the suitable headphones to challenge the HD600 superior sound.

So let's continue.

Beyerdynamic DT 880 Review & Compares To Sennheiser HD600

This German made headphones is really need to pick up for my review. Not because it is very popular among the headphones lovers for some quite of time, but it is almost at the same price in brand new as the Sennheiser HD600 I've reviewed here. On my table, this Beyerdynamic DT 880, not the pro version, is the 250 ohm impedance version. It is in used condition but overall still in a good shape. This will be compares to the Sennheiser HD600.

Finding The Better One Over Sennheiser HD600

The best music experience I had from a headphones audio system so far is this Sennheiser HD600. You can read my review here when I compare the previous runner up in my list is the HD6xx with this HD600, the result is clearly as my expectation. The HD600 is the most transparent, detail and intimate voice headphones I've ever heard. It is above the level of HD6xx at the first time you put the HD600 on your head. So in this post and next, I will try something new. I want to compete this HD600 to others well known headphones out there, with also having a good reputation among the the headphones users. The goal is finding the better one over this HD600 in term of everything. So before begin to the others headphones, let me brief a little bit about this Sennheiser HD600 again.

Affordable High Quality Schiit Concerto II PYST RCA Cable

Building a good pair of RCA cable is not cheap.

If you have build your own cables for your audio system, then you know how much you spent for a set of RCA plugs. Like me, I often using CMC RCA plug that cost me more than US$20 for plugs only without counting the cables yet. So, I wish there is an audio manufacturer can offer good quality RCA cable and of course at affordable price, and my wish granted. Here it is, the US$20 PYST RCA cable from Schiit. Early disclaimer, I am not sponsored with anyone or the manufacture it self, so this is purely what I am thinking about the product and I think it is worth to share.

Soundstream Class A 50 II Oldschool Car Amplifier Review

We are, who grow up in 90's probably know that the car audio at that time is full of great stuff. One of the most admirable car audio amplifier, at least for myself, is comes from Soundstream. The Soundstream Class A series built in very early 1991 and it is the high end car amplifier you can buy and put inside you car stereo system. I can tell you that this still the great sounding car amplifier until now.  Then why it is still great? Because it runs in Class A bias to achieve the best sounding amplifier. In audio world, the class A bias is well known as the highest rank in sound quality. The design that makes it great and the careful components chosen is what makes it run stable. I used to installed and playing this amplifier on my car ten years ago, but not this unit, it is a different type. At that time is the Soundstream Class A 100 II, dual channel 50 watt x 2 pure class A amplifier. This one in this review is the smaller version, the Soundstream Class A 50 II that only run 25 watt pure class A. When the first release, the price of this amplifier is US$400.

LG Hifi Plus B&O Play Vs. Audioquest Dragonfly Black

I wish you have read my LG Hifi Plus B&O Play first impression reviewed here and the Audioquest Dragonfly Black here compares to the LG V20. The purchase decision when buying the LG Hifi Plus is because of the B&O Play label on it. As you know the B&O is a hi-end audio manufacture that aim for lifestyle entertainment system and it is very true indeed. I personally impress on how good the LG Hifi Plus product is. But for the sound quality, I should takes more time to have audition with it. Currently I am using the Audioquest Dragonfly Black as my portable audio set-up. It is very practical for me to take this small USB thumb stick style DAC everywhere. Specification wise, both Dragonfly and LG Hifi Plus using ESS Sabre DAC chip. ES9010 for the Dragonfly and ES9028 for the LG Hifi Plus. The different is lay on the amplifier side which Dragonfly using the Texas Instrument TPA6130 and for LG Hifi Plus using Sabre9602.

LG Hi-fi Plus With B&O Play 32 bit Portable DAC & Amplifier

Since I already had the LG B&O Play earphones here, I guess it is not complete without adding the DAC from the same company as well. This LG DAC is special because it is still on collaboration with famous audio manufacture B&O. This is the LG Hi-fi Plus, the 32 bit DAC B&O Play launching on 2016. Actually this DAC is the additional accessories for LG G5 smartphone to improve the internal smartphone sound quality. But the good news is this DAC can be pair not only with the intended LG G5 smartphone, but it can be attach to any external device as a stand alone DAC & headphones amplifier with USB-C connector. Nice! I bought it about US$50, not cheap for outdated product, but I get it in brand new condition, so why not to spent.

B&O Play Earphones From LG G7+ Launching Package

Continue from my previous review for the budget earphones, the AKG here makes me want to add another budget earphones collection. But of course it is also from the bundling smartphone as well. My choice down to this B&O Play earphones. It is came from the launching package of LG G7+ smartphone. If you already know that LG has been collaborate with B&O brand for their sound tuning since the G5 and V10 smartphone upwards series. Until about last year I believe, they break the relationship with B&O and starting with Meridian. So here it is, the B&O Play earphones I got on my hand, bought for about US$25. I am very curious how does it sound compare to the AKG.

DIY The Original Apple 30 Pin Audio Line Out Adapter

Before you started reading this post, I suggest you also read my previous post about when I bought this original Apple AV cable here and also my first attempt to modify it here. Still until today, for myself it is a nostalgic moment to stacking the iPod with the portable amplifier. It is a tempting effort and of course the great way to have a hi end affordable portable music player. But the most difficulty now days is to get the 30 pin Apple compatible adapter. This adapter function is to get the true audio line out from the inside iPod DAC directly, uncolored sound and direct audio line without passing path on digital volume control or amplifier inside the iPod itself. The result for this is the sound more dynamic, crisp, detail though out your ears. In this project, I want the original Apple 30 pin dock, then modify it to have the true audio line out. So here it is.

The Original Samsung S10+ AKG Earphones Review

This AKG earphones from Samsung S10+ bundling smartphone is very popular. When I searching for it, it is quite funny that many online re-seller claims that they sells this kind earphones as a loose pack for less than US$20. As the information based on the seller, they taken directly from the Samsung smartphones bundling box. Will it this much quantity? I think this is too good to be true. Moreover, I've read the buyers comment and for sure they are not got the original AKG. It is a good copy indeed. So, why this AKG earphones bundled with the smartphones S10+ so popular? Is the sound quality good? That is why right now, on my hand, I got the original Samsung S10+ AKG earphones directly from brand new S10+ smartphones. I got it from my sister. She know what inside the smartphones she bought, but she is not using the wired earphones anymore . I am quite lucky to get it from her for free:)

Sony Xplod XM-SW3 Car Power Amplifier

On my previous post, quite long time ago on 2018, I have review 2 unit the brand new Sony car power amplifier. It is built around mid 1990, they are all 2 channel power amplifier. The small one is XM-2020S here and the big brother is XM-3020S here. The Sony brand for car audio at that time is pure Sony without the "Xplod" title next to it. For me, the Xplod naming didn't sell at all. Sony keep the Xplod name for very long time until it vanished the popularity by it's own. The naming is very important. Like you naming your own baby right? Xplod name itself is started to put in the market about early 2000. It is not even sells better than the ES Sony car audio branding that already stop production on the same year. Fast forward today, on my hand right now, I got the brand new Sony Xplod XM-SW3. This is the early Sony Xplod with 3 channel power amplifier that dedicated for 2 channel for the front speakers and 1 channel for sub-woofer. Let's find out.

Nakamichi PA-100 Power Amplifier Installation

In this post will show to you my latest work on my car audio system.

The audio system on my Honda Brio is so simple. I want to keep this car as light as possible and for that reason, I just using the Pioneer AVH-G115DVD head unit and a pair of JBL GT7 coaxial speaker at the front only.

With this simple audio system, is it sound good? Not really actually. It is sound metallic and thin on mid-range. Apparently this is the most today audio sounds like. Too much digital interference that suck up the soul from the music.

So I think I want to recover it. I still have the old-school Nakamichi PA-100 power amplifier that I think this would be sound better (in quality) than the internal amplifier of the Pioneer head unit does.

JVC PC-5 The Real Mini Component Audio System

My "working from home" is extended until 19th April, I have been at home about 2 weeks already and guess what, I recognize that the old traditional transistor radio is more important than my home audio system.

Don't be miss judge about this statement yet. My audio system is great. It is sound very good and it is a waste if you not pay attention when it play the music. But while I am working, my concentrate of course on the working material in my laptop. Then Radio system with low volume very suitable accompany me during working. Sometimes the great music is played and boost up my mood in the working day, but often I tuning up the tuner just to explore to another radio station.

The sound quality is better than free Sportify:)

Then about this radio is JVC PC-5 that I bought on flea market few weeks ago, far before I am working at home for only US$5. Very cheap and I will not bother to get it for my collection.

Deep Clean Process Jamo Cornet 65II Speakers

Today update, I am still working at home. My office extend the working form home period until next week. I do keep positive thinking despite certain job cannot be done at home. But I guess it is quite efficient having everything done remotely and I am used to it. Imagine everyday I am driving to office takes 2 hours back and forth. While at home like this, those 2 hours can be use for something more useful. Like cleaning this 20 years old plus speakers? I bet yes I will do it.

Technics SU-VX500 Amplifier Internal & Cleaning Process

I have been working at home since last Thursday, this is because of the corona virus pandemic that spread already. Stay safe everyone, stay at home.

Actually it is quite boring if not do something related to my hobby. So in this opportunity I pull out my old Technics amplifier from the cave. This amplifier is built around 1991, the model is SU-VX500. It is still made in Japan and the great things about this amplifier is the Class-AA patent technology that quite make this amplifier famous at that time.

So let see the inside and I will do a lot of cleaning to make this amplifier like new again.

Nichicon Super Through Capacitor Car Audio Installation (Part 2)

If you wondering where is the part 1 of this post, then you may check in the link here.

When we are talking about capacitor for car audio, one thing in mind is the big capacitor that mostly put at the trunk of the car, near the sub-woofer and the power amplifier. This capacitor is flashy and eye catching with digital volt indicator on it and few LED. But that's how it works for the sound pressure level improvement on their car audio power supply. That capacitor stored energy and release for instant demand need by the power amplifier and the sub-woofer.

But right now, I am not talking about that kind capacitor function. Just put away those capacitor first. I will focusing the capacitor for the car head unit. This capacitor must be good in specification, high quality rather than only high storage (Farad) capacity. This capacitor function is mostly to improve the power supply ripple rejection cause by the car alternator. The voltage go to the head unit will be much  cleaner.

Everything You Need To Know About Pioneer AVH-G115DVD

I got a request from one family member to install an audio-video entertainment in car. Hmn.. not a good idea for myself since I already satisfy with my current audio system here here and here. But I think I will do it. At least I should experience myself for having an AV head unit on car. It will also become a new review here too. So I did searching the suitable AV head unit to my car within my very low budget and end up to this Pioneer AVH-G115DVD. This head unit is very cheap, but don't compare to Chinese brand head unit, they are different class for sure. I got it for about US$100 brand new and this is what you should know about this cheap head unit which I believe no one will telling you about this.

Sennheiser HD600 & HD6xx Sound Quality Comparison

The Sennheiser HD600 is an old product, you probably couldn't find the new one these days. As per information going around, this headphones is first release on 1997 and I am not sure why it is gone in the market right now. This HD600 is fortunately still can be obtain but in the second hand condition. The HD600 sound quality is the best said many reviewer. But is it? I have been using for a while the Massdrop Sennheiser HD6xx and I am really like it. You can find my review about the Sennheiser HD6xx in this post. Then how about the improvement this HD600 over the HD6xx? So I guess comparing the together will get the clear picture which one is the best.

SMSL SP200 Components Analysis

My review yesterday about the sound quality of this SMSL SP200 headphones amplifier surprisingly got a really good result. This is the most affordable THX certificate headphones amplifier on the market right now. Comparing to others manufacture, I saw they also made similar amplifier with also THX certificate and the main components inside is also the same. But the selling price is way more higher than this SMSL SP200. SMSL official websites have published the picture about what components they are using inside it. But I guess, if you're me that so curious to see it directly, you will do the same as I do, digging deeper about components inside it and finding any potential components to upgrade.

SMSL SP200 THX Certified Headphones Amplifier Review

SMSL is an audio manufacture based on Shenzhen, China. This company has been around for many years selling high quality audio devices mainly for desktop audiophile system. The most appealing product from SMSL is of course the very affordable price with decent build quality and uncompromising sound quality. The SP200 is their current desktop headphones amplifier announced about few month ago. Still new and fresh since this is their first product to get the certification from THX. Not sure what it means, but it appeal to become great for music. So let's find it out.

Apple Component AV Cable In 2020?

I still owned several iPod model and they are become my audio portable since 2 decades ago. Those iPod sounds very good considerably to today standard. Just plug the 30 pin to audio line out adapter to the amplifier and it sound at it is optimum performance. Just in case you forget, about 10 years ago, iPod and DIY Cmoy amplifier become very popular among portable audiophile for on the go setup. Sadly most of the 30 pins to audio line out adapter is only provided by third party manufacture. The best one that I can recommend is from Fiio. At that time, Fiio released several model 30 pin to line out adapter but none of those Fiio adapter product are still available right now. I still have one and it still working flawlessly until now. So if you want to find the same function as Fiio audio line out adapter but better, then go through this Apple original product. This is component AV cable made by Apple for iPod accessories back then.

LME49720 Or NE5532 For Cmoy Headphones Amplifier?

Using a Cmoy amplifier is actually good enough to deliver a good sound through a headphones.

Building Cmoy amplifier is basically easy and cheap. For the comparison, I have been using Schiit Magni headphones amplifier and Cmoy amplifier sound quality is comparable

The designer of this Cmoy amplifier is based on one person name Chu Moy and the amplifier layout is basically an op-amp gain which very simple and not too much parts involved.

The standard op-amps for Cmoy amplifier is using NJM4560 that can deliver up to 70mA of current with minimum impedance output is 150 ohm. But how it sound if I compare to the others op-amps such as LME49720 or NE5532?