What you read below has only 1 edit being done - changing "Hi Hi-B" to "Super Hi-B". We were calling it Hi Hi-B previously but Super Hi-B will be an easier term to use and therefore we've edited the content for that. Other than this, it is 100% original from David V.
Here goes:
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| 300B Mono-block Amplifier |
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| Super Hi-B Power Transformer |
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| Tango NC20F and Tamura OPT |
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| Solid Wood Chassis |
My
acquaintanceship with J&K Audio Design happened by coincident early last
year in 2014. I was searching for some information on power transformer in the
net and this company called J&K
Audio Design came to my attention. I was intrigued by their pictures showing
how their transformers were wind, sealed and potted. From their pictures and
their working processes, I know the transformers are going to be durable and
long lasting. Soon I got in touch with the Ken of J&K Audio Design and
enquired my need to order a pair of replacement power transformers for my 300B
amp. Ken came back to me suggesting I use a pair of Super Hi B double C-core
power transformers. He quoted me a price for a pair of potted version. The
price for this Super Hi B double C-core
power transformer is not cheap but I'm adamant to get a pair to try them out
myself and see how good they are! I placed an order and they finally came after
two months of waiting.
During
my break during the 2015 CNY, I managed to swap out my original Z11 power transformer
from my 300B monaural amp and in came the Super-Hi B C-core power transformers.
My
300B monaural amp is a direct couple SE with the 5687 or 6900 as the driver
tube onto an interstage NC20 that finally drive the 300B to Tamura Amorphous
OPT. The design was inspired by April Sound 50 amp and I'd it for several years
but never am satisfied with the end result until I got it replaced with the
J&K power transformers. When the power transformers were replaced and I
powered up the amplifier, the power output from these 300B gave me an impression
that it's unusually powerful. I'd the normal listening level that I used to
play but the sound level from my speakers seems to be twice as loud than when I
were using the Z11 power transformer with my Tannoy GRF speakers.
I have
about 50 hours of run in since replacing the power transformers. The music
flavors of my liking are jazz, chamber, female vocal and orchestra (classical).
Here are samples of some of the music and my general listening opinion.
I'd
auditioned some live performance recording like a Jazz version of 'When I fall
in love'. The sound coming out of my Tannoy GRF was remarkable, as though I was
in the room where the piano was played. I can really feel the ambient, the reverberation
of the piano's notes from the Steinways & Son piano. I also listened to the
ODaiko, a traditional Japanese drum pieces. The rhythm, the pace and the
vibration of the drum is tight and vivid. I can really feel the energy from the
drum. I almost forgot I was listening to a 300B amp, as the music coming from
it sounded as powerful as a push-pull 6L6 amp, but with more clarity, warmth,
dynamic and detail.
I believed
the J&K Audio Design Super Hi B C-Core power transformers played a big part
in the improvement of my amplifier. I also sampled on some Violin piece
(Zigeunerweisen Op.20 by Anne-Sophie Mutter), live Guitar piece (Lion Lai Small
Town by Japanese Guitarist Kazahito Yamashita), Cello piece (The Swan),
Orchestra pieces like William Tell Overture and Radetzky March Op.228. The
music coming out from my 300B amp was fast, clean, dynamic, and transparent
with superb imaging and they never run out of juice even with complex pieces.
One would never believe it's coming from a 300B amplifier.
The
J&K Audio Design Super Hi B C-core power transformer has really bring out
the best of the
Tamura
Amorphous OPT. My previous Z11 power transformer was lacking in some attributes
that prohibit the OPT to perform optimally. My experience convinced me that for
an outstanding triode SE amp, the choice of power transformer is as important
as the OPT that you are using.
The
J&K Audio Design Super Hi B C-core power transformer is not cheap but it's
worthwhile. If you plan to upgrade your amplifier, I would suggest you have
your OPT, power transformer followed by internal wiring, then the output tubes
in that order of priority.
Here
are some pictures of my 300B amplifier.
By David V 6th April
2015.
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