Fisher 400CX + Western Electric 124B + LS3/5a

Following Chinese new year celebration, I managed to "renew" my hifi combinbation in Hong Kong. One of my close hifi friend has strong desire for a pair of Fishers 50C mono bloc pre amplifiers and we did a simple swap yesterday evening.

Now, the Fisher 400CX is back with me.It seems that this fish really swims in circle. I am glad to have the opportunity to try this new Fisher 400CX + WE124 combination.

With the Fisher 50C, I can feel a very strong emtional feeling especially for vocal. With the Fisher 400CX, it compliments very well the strong Mid coming from the WE 124 as well as add a further elements of "energy" into the overall musical presentation. The whole music reproduction has more up and down "variations" and the system seems to get "younger"!

Having AB compared between the Fisher 50C & Fisher 400CX, I would say that both combination has its own strength. As for my taste, since the WE 124 has already a strong Mid, I would think that the 400CX's musical and its ability to project high and low will further enhance the potential of the Western Electric 124!

I like it! I would rate Fisher 400CX, Fisher 50c & Marantz 7 as the top 3 vintage pre-amplifiers!

Sylvania 274B tubes

The Western Electric 274B tubes are so expensive that I have decided to search for them slowly ( as I am hoping to find them in a more reasonable price). In the meantime, I am using the GEC U52 rectifier tube which sounded good to my ear.

During the Chinese New Year holidat period, I have managed to find a pair of NOS US Navy 274B made by Sylvania from the 1942/3 at a very reasonable price.

Hoping to listen to these tubes when they arrive!
Cheers, Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Great CD from Cuba - Ibrahim, Omara, Rubernstein

When mentioning great CDs, we cannot forget about the musician from the Buona Vista Social Club!

Many of these great singers have great vocal and own singing personalities!

Even though, life may be tough in their country, ther music reflect such energy and passion!

Please visit the Buenavista site: http://www.pbs.org/buenavista/musicians/

Great Jazz CDs Tonny Bennett & KD Lang

Ever since I stopped buying hifi equipmemts, I have more time to serach for great CDs.

The Frank Sinatra Duets CD was produced in 1993 and my favousrite songs include the duet with Julio Iglesias Summer Wind, New York New York with Tonny bennett, I've goy you under my skin witj bono..and many others!

Another great recording is Tony bennett & kD Lang - wonderful world where you listen to two great vocals singing in harmony!

These are the CDs that make me truly appreciate my current hifi system set up.. where all the efforts are really worth it!

Classical CDs

I am not a great fan of classical Cds. however, I was told that in order to evaluate the hifi system, it is better to use a claasical CDs to test.

Mr.Cheng has recommended me two CDs. The First is La Fille Mal Gardee, a Royal ballet music while the second one is Weekend Sound Spectacular consisting of a compliation of music from the movie Exodus, Doctor Zhivago plus a host of others such as music from the American Revolutionalr war..etc.

What a change!

Relax CD - Los Indios Tabajaras

I remembered seeing this LP by Los Indios Tabajaras when I was very young. The "traditional" photo has never motivated me to seriously consider listening to it.

One day, as I was visiting Mr. Cheng from Scitech Audio, who specialise in limited edition CD and firste edition CD, this CD was highly recommended by Mr Cheng.

This CD is the early 1986 version CD. The music from the CD is truly relaxed sound..a trademark of Tannoy Speakers...in this case the Tannoy Mini!

I would strongly recommend this CD for those who want a very relax music while doing your work at home. The 1964 recording is very natural and you can listen to the whole CD with much ease..Afterall, the objective of the hifi system is to provide one with joy and relaxation! Enjoy!

Western Electric 100f

I was down with flu for two weeks resulting in me not being active with my hifi. This evening, I have finally managed to do some simple DIY with my Western ELectric 100f.

The Western Electric 100f amplifiers come with a built in 5 inch Alnico Jensen speakers. To use it as power amplifiers, I have to by pass the speakers and attched it with speakers socket.

The sound from these Western Electric amplifiers sounded quite nice with highly efficient speakers such as the Tannoy Mini. The mid from the amplifiers remind me of the Western Electric 124b but the WE124 has better control then the WE 100f in term of producing sound stage and creating depth in its sound stage. However, considering the price of the WE 100f, I must say that its sound is better then many HK$10,000 amplifiers.

For those who wants the Western Electric sound, can go for the Western Electric KS 16608 or these 100f series!

The Important of tubes or amplifiers?

I have always been puzzled by the question: is good tube more important that amplifiers? There are some audiophiles who would buy relatively cheap hifi amplifier but they are more the willing to buy tubes that costs 4 times that of the amplifiers?

Even though in the ideal world, one should have both good vintage tube with good vintage amplifers. However, as resources are limited, given a choice, my prefernce would be to get a better system first then followed by the tubes as the amplfiers built and circuit is like the engine while the tubes are supporting item.

Western Electric 100f & KLH Radio set

Many audiophiles tend to concentrate their efforts into the pre-amplifiers and amplifiers set and often neglect the fun of vintage radio set.

The KLH 8 radio is a the famous radio (earlier version of the much famed Tivoli radio). It strength lies in its very good reception. The KLH 13, on the otehr hand, is the "add on" speakers unit inorder to achieve stereo sound effect. Besides listening to the Radio programe using the KLH 8 radio, the KLH13 also allow one to plug in CD as external source as well. The sound from the KLH 8 + 13 + CD player is very warm and its sounded very similar to the normal tubes amplifiers.

The Western Electric 100f amplifiers set from the 1950s are often neglected by many audiophiles as well. During the 50s, like many amplifiers, they were sold as mono unit. Thus, one has to pair them up in order to use them as "stereo".

The Western Electric 100f is an amplifier set that comes with a built in5 inch Jensen alnico magnet speakers. Thus, all one needs to do is to plug in the CD source to both the WE 100f, one can immediately enjoys the stero tube sound!

The costs of the WE 100f varies according to condition, especially the cabinet condition as well as whether it comes with the original knobs and metal cage. One hifi shop in Prince, Kowloon is selling them at HK$30,000 per set because it bears the name Western Electric (and not OEM).

According to the Hong Kong hifi magazine, one readers bought them at HK$15,000 in order to enjoy the Western Electric sound! Normal ebay unist per set is about US$400-600 and shipping is about US$200. Thus, one can expect the price to be in the range of US$600-800 (about HKG $4500 - $6000.

Bearing in mind that many of these units owning to age often are "sold as it is" these requires servicing by Sifu which costs $3500 - $4000 depending on the extend of repairs. Thus, one can expect to pay for HK$8000-9500 for a perfectly matched and working set. For a price of $8000,one can enjoy the Western Electric seems like a good deal!

Happy hunting!

Western Electric 124 Vs Leak TL12.1 amplifiers

Last week end, a few audiophiles high hand came over to my place for the listening session on the WE 124 & Leak TL12.1

The set up are as follows:

• Leak TL12.1 (using GEC KT66)+ Fisher 50C + Tannoy mini + B & O CD player
• WE 124 (Using WE 350B tubes) + Fisher 50C + Tannoy mini + B & O CD player

Richard has worded it nicely with the following comments:

Compared with the TL/12.1, 124B is more like a very bosom young lady, probably in her late twenties, who had inmaturely declined a number handsome, wealthy young men including 李家誠 and had a lot sorrows and happiness to tell. Her listeners would be attracted to pour out all from their pockets and to spend the rest of their life to study her! You feel warm and peace.

Before the WE124B, TL/12.1 appeared actually like a 18歲 扑扑趣 whom you want to enjoy (more than her look). The TL/12.1 is so energetic and playful that you might even worry yourselves that you can't chase and follow her tightly. But you would still cling to her, using up all your energy without regret.

With 2 pair of amplifiers, comparison between the two in term of performance is inevitable. However, given the variables factors such as different tubes used and circuits, an A B comparison will be difficuilt. Using the analogy of the motor vehicle, perhaps the WE124 is like the Mercedes, elegance and smooth while the Leak TL12.1 is like the BMW with much more energy, force and punch. Both the Mercedes and BMW will ultimately bring you to the destination but the experience of the ride will be different indeed..

In the end, I think I would try my best to enjoy hearing the Music in the special way each system presents it..as hifi equipements' obejective is to help us to reproduce the music to our ears..for enjoyment!

With the lisetning session last weekend and the acqusition of the Chartwell LS3/5a, I have more or less complete my hunt for the equipments. Having to manage 2 sets of amplifiers plus 3 set of speakers will really sufficient to keep one busy. Thus, I have made up my mind in not wanting to acquire the Brooks 12A using the 2A3 tubes as it will be like moving into another arena again. Instead, my aim is to focus my time on listening and improve the soudn from the exisiting system by trying outdifferent tubes and different combinations in order to bring out the best in its system.

Chartwell LS3/5a

I have always heard the name Chartwell when menioning the LS3/5a. There are some audiophiles who find the Chartwell's sound the smoothest among all the LS3/5a. Owing to a strong demand, the prices of the Chartwell has always been high. Other then the Rogers Gold Badge, the Chartwell is the next most collectable LS3/5a followed by perhaps the Ram, AudioMaster LS3/5a.

I was fortunate to be able to find a nice matched pair made in 1977 Chartwell LS3/5a with close serial nos 1580 & 1581 from a serious and experienced audiophiles Richard who has the complete range of Rogers LS3/5a. From the circuit board, one can see the closely matched crossover as well as the components.

To make space for the Chartwell LS3/5a, I ahve cut love my pair of Ram LS3/5a to a close friend. The vocal from the Chartswell is very smooth which also matches very well with my WE124 as well as the Fisher 50C.

Good luck in your search for vintage items. If you find hard enough, you can find your dream items! Cheers

Made in Hong Kong smallest amplifiers

One of my office colleague Wendy who visited my home was poisoned by the sound system. She has requested me to help help her set up her hi fi with the following criterias:

- It must sound good,

- The system must be sleek looking

- It cannot be too big

- It must be able to plug and play with ease of use

With these in mind, I have requested her to start with the selection of speakers. I have recommneded Tannoy Mini autograph, LS3/5a speakers, and Phass piano wood speakers. Her choice of speakers is the Phass fullrange speakers.

With the selection of the fullrange speakers, I have asked her whether she wants tube or solid state amplifier and size became the main criteria. To ensure sweet vocal, matching of these high sensitive fullrange speakers are essential. Thus, the power watts for these fullrange speakers cannot be too powerful. In the end, I ahve chosen the made in HK World smallest's amplifiers made by a DIY high hand.

The sound testing is fantastic as even though the amplifier has only a mere 3 watts, it has sufficient power to drive the Phass fullrange speakers. Cheers

LS3/5a collection - start of a new journey

Recently, I have received some encouragement from my friends to start a small collection of the LS3/5a speakers. As the values of these are always on the increase, plus its small size for convenient storage, I have decided to give it a try...sort of like a small "investement"..

As mentioned previously, I used to have 4 pair of Rogers: 15 ohms black badge, 15 ohms white belly, 11ohms, and pusedo 15 ohms. With the desire to acquire a pair of Tannoy & WE 755a, I have sold off 3 pair and keeping only the white Belly as reference. Recently, by chance, I have managed to find a pair of rare Ram LS3/5a 15 ohms. Among the LS3/5a, there are two other so called "champion" LS3/5a namely the vintage Chartwell LS3/5a and the Rogers Gold Badge.

With this clear targets in mind, I will try to find these 15 ohms Chartwell LS3/5a and Rogers Gold badge to "complele" my LS3/5a collection. The objective is to focus on the 15 ohms and as there are simply too many variations to keep, I hope to go for the rare ones as key!

Wish me luck!

Hong Kong CDs recommendation

I have always liked Adam Cheng's show when I was young. This afternoon, I have found some NOS Cds from the the 90s.

The 2 CD by Adam Cheng is highly recommended. The vocal and the instruments played were exceptional plus it will bring back fond memories of the yester years.

In addition, there is another Cd adapted from the LPs of the 1960s which is also highly recommended for ist witty and funny singing combination between the 3 artist. One can visualise the sound stage when listening to the 60s "stereo" CDs..

GEC U52 tubes

According to Tim, the expert in vintage tubes, the GEC U52 (or the GEC version of 5U4) is not the 100% identical or same as normal 5U4G. It only draws 2.25A of filamanet current instead of 3A and it went easier on the power supply. The WE274B tubes draw about 2A of filamanet meaning that the U52 will be a closer substitutes then the other 5U4G which draw 3A. There are a few version of the U52 with the black based being earlier then the brown based.

As such, I went out this afternoon to source for another set of the early black based U52 as spares. Even though it was costly, I have decided to bite the bullet and acquired the black based U52 set as these black based version are so rare and difficult to get. In addition, the prices in ebay is same or higher then getting it from the shop in Hong Kong. One seller in ebay is asking for 140 UK pounds per set...

We124 with 350B, GEC U52 & GEC 6J7 tubes

After my business trip to Beijing last Wednesday till Friday, I have managed to come back home to play with my system. This evening, I have decided to match my WE124 using the WE350B and the GEC U52 tubes with the GEC 6J7 tubes, which sounded fantastics!

Looking at the R33 forum, I can see many audiophiles buying lots of interesting vintage gears. I am currently very contented with my WE124 & Leak TL12.1 power amplifiers and Fisher 50C pre-amplifiers in Hong Kong and trying to bring out the best in them.

The Western electric 755a speakers are fantastics for producing vocal with strong mid. The Tannoy mini autograph, on the other hand, is a very versatile pair of speaker being able to sound relax and at the same time take on the the heavy base music and full orchestra music. Its ability to have wide soundstage reminded me of my pair of vintage Tannoy Cantebury..which is the key motivation for the purchase of the Tannoy nini!

Tomorrow, Richard and his friends will be coming to my place to audition my WE124. Hopefully, the system will not dissapoint them. However, since taste in music is a very personal matter..it all depends on their music prefernce as well.

Cheers

LS3/5a collection

Previously, I have 4 set of LS3/5a namely the Rogers LS3/5a 15ohm black badge, Rogers white belly 15 ohms, Rogers 11 ohms, Rogers LS3/5a pseudo 15 ohms. To experience the sound from other form of speakers (i.e Tannoy & WE 755a), I have sold off the 11 ohms, 15 ohms pseudo, 15 ohms black badge.

Recently, I have more or less found what I want. I was hoping to find a apir of the Rogers Gold badge or Chartwell LS3/5a. In the end, I found a pair of Ram LS3/5a. My friend KY has collected quite a number of nice LS3/5a which has given me the inspiration to collect them as well as it is relatively easy to keep (owing to the small size) and maintanance free. Moreover, the prices of these LS3/5a keep escalating making it a nice form of "investment" as well.

Should I try to pursue the great wall of LS3/5a?

RAM LS3/5a

I have not planned to buy any Ram LS3/5a. Initially, I was supposed to be getting a pair of Rogers Black badge with number close to the Gold badge. However, owing to circustances beyond my control, the pair was not available and in replacement, my friend has passed me the rare Ram LS3/5a 15 ohms instead. Something that Ihave actively chase such as Brooks 12A, was not available while the unexpected ones tended to appear.

The Tannoy Mini autograph was another as the price was really very attractive that it was not possible for me to say no..

This evening, one of my office colleague (a non audiophile, who used to listen to the Ipod MP3 music) visited my apartment. I took the opprtunity to let her audition my system. Immediately, the music immediately captured her attention. As a consequent of the listening session, she has given me a budget to help her set up a simple Hi fi set up using tubes amplifiers and full range speakers. Thus, I will cut my Phass fullrange speakers to her and help her source an integrated amplifiers for her apartment this coming weekend.

With these arrangement, the number of speakers that I have now in Hong Kong will be reduced from 4 pairs to 3 ( leaving only the We755a, Ram Ls3/5a, Tannoy Mini)...otherwise, my items will start to "grow"by itself again!

Western Electric KS 16608 amplifiers at ebay

The prices of the Western Electric families of vinatge ampilfiers have increased quite a fair bit during the months.

When I first get to know the KS16608, it was selling at HK$10,000 Recently, a pair of nice WE KS16608 was sold for US$2025 + US$275 (Shipping) = US$2300 (HK$17,250) during the weekend reflecting an increase in awareness over these non "household" amplifiers system.

As these were made for amplification usage by tele-communication company, they were built to withstand long hours of usage. I have bought two pair of these KS16608 amplifiers in the past and I only sold off one pair away to make way for the arrival of the Western Electric 124 amplifiers. Many has claimed that the KS16608 are not good sounding amplifiers which I disagree totally. I wonder how many of these critics have listened to these fully restored KS16608 before making such judgement?

For me, it is because of these nice sound from the KS16608 that has given me the encouragement to go for the Western Electric 124! I still kept one set of near mint condition KS16608 in Singapore. The Western Electric using 6L6 tubes is better value and sound then many other vintage amplifiers and if you are a connosieur, you will know what you are buying. The Korean & the Japanese were the first few who has an open mind to accept these Western Electric licensed products. Why can't we have an open mind and open heart as well? Of course, for it to have good sound, it must be fully restored and one must use vintage coke bottled 6L6G tubes and coke shaped 5U4G.

In my mind, I think many will wait and continue to be sarcastic and "complaint" until the WE KS16608 crosses the HK$20,000 price point benchmark before they realize the "true values" of the KS16608. By then, they would have missed the boat!

I have seen it happended before for the LS3/5a spekares & recently the Tannoy speakers. When I first bought the vintage Tannoy Chartsworth 12 inch gold monitor in original cabinet, it was only $14,000. Many critics complained that the "mouth" of Chai Chin was too big (when comparing with the LS3/5a) then. Later, the price went up to $17,000 in October 06 and the selling price now is HK$25,000.

There are two kinds of audiophiles. One who identify and lead while the others follow...

Good CD recommendation: Andy Williams & Barry Manilow CD

You know you are getting old when the music that you are listening become "oldies" or "Golden Hits".

I remember listening to Barry Manilow in the mid 1980s was quite a "cool" act as many of my colleague school girl classmates were quite impressed with his singing styles. Now, I guess only people in the late 30s or early 40s listen to Barry Manilow and Andy Williams.

Listening to these vocal brought back many fond memories of the younger years. Nevertheless, one has to admit that the singers of the yesteryears have better singing skills then the modern days!

My son Keith, however, prefers to listen to Bad DayDaniel Powter!