Alternative universal RC

I had recently bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 smartphone.

One unexpected bonus for this average smartphone was it's RC app. The RC app can most useful and handy eg if you had misplaced the original remote (or when someone else monopolised it)!

We used it last month to initiate the testing of the LG-V522P. 

RC app main screen on smartphone

Initial screen to add a new device

Mi App generic screen for the LG-V522P

It's most unlikely you would lose your smartphone as most owners would have it handy. And it's locatible via the various "find my phone" facilities eg ring as loud as possible facility!

Thus this sort of smartphone is a keeper once retired from it's primary duties - it's your "new" universal RC!!

Another budget CD source - LG DV522P

I was introduced to this budget CD source, the LG DV-522P (with co-axial digital output) by a neighbour. He wanted to determine the quality of audio output from it.

The LG DV-522P is a budget DVD player with literally no visible display, only a red LED once power-up. There is provision for a USB source. The unit is RC capable but he had misplaced the RC. Hence we used my "newish" universal remote instead (works like a charm - topic for another post).

No display with only LED to indicate piower-on

Only basic RCA outputs on rear

As my neighbour does not own a DAC, we decided to test the unit via the analogue L-R outputs hooked up to my budget valve EL-34 integrated amplifier (... budget src to budget amp, fair right?) which was paired to the DIY LS 3/5A and matching subwoofer.

I must say I was quite impressed with the results. The presentation was respectable for the price range😮😲!  Who would have thought such a budget combination could deliver any impressive result.

Would have loved to have more listening time with this little mighty mouse...

Technics RS-M02

The RS-M02 was the top end cassette deck for the Technics Concise series (small-size or micro components).

Pix from VintageTechnics

Apologies for the pix from the internet as it's kind'of small and can be difficult to locate in the storeroom (aka the blackhole!!). Will update with pix of the internals once I came across the little critter.

Don't be fooled into thinking the RS-M02 is a lightweight due to it's smaller dimensions. It's a solid performer weighing 5.5kg!

Think of the RS-M02 as a miniaturized RS-M65 without the fine bias and headphone output volume controls but was upgraded for Metal Oxide tapes. Hence the RS-M02 has all the performance of a high-end Technics cassette deck, for the Concise Series.

Celestion SL-6s

In the late 1980's I literally fell "head-over-heels" for the Celestion SL-6 after listening to a pair at my friend's place in NZ.

By the time I scaped enough to buy a pair with a proper amplifier for them, the SL-6 was no longer available and had been replaced by the SL-6s. Hence I bought a pair of SL-6s instead, with the metal sand filled stands from the local NZ agent via the home based hifi dealer at the shore (aka North Shore to Aucklanders).

I still own that pair of SL-6s but have not used them since about 2006. Hence I enclosed pixs from the net till I have the urge to drag them out for a spin.

Pix of the SL6s from the internet

As there are so many articles and reviews on the SL6s, there is no need to repeat the obvious. I will just add on item(s) I discovered along the years of ownership.

I always admired the beautiful wooden finish as the bark rings would flow seamlessly from one panel to another, on each of the speakers. Many a visitors who's seen the pair always pester for a sale (told them if you want them, compensate me for my loss as I never put them up for sale)... still have them, these are REAL KEEPERS!

From memory the SL6s require plenty of grunt to be be driven properly, rather than Watts. Once so, they are real pleasers. The bass deficiency can be addressed using a active sub (suitable for hifi not HT). If I remember correctly, the active sub need to be set to somewhere in the region of 125-150Hz  with volume just about 1-o'clock - TBC once I dig out the sub as well!!!

For instance, I was using the SL6s with a Sansui AU-555 before putting them into storage. Watts was not so much the issue as grunt. The AU-555 is rated as 20W per channel with only a Damping Factor of 12. Many advise using an amp of atleast 50-60W for the task. Yet, the Sansui AU-555 could drive the SL6s beautifully to decent volumes with the volume knob at 10 o'clock and/or above. No issues doing so for atleast 8hrs a day on the weekends.

Another surprise was when I swap out the SL6s (86dB) with the Meridian A500 (89dB) - the output volume remained roughly the same.

Hands getting itchy now since this bring backs bloody fond memories of my years spend with the SL6s ...

Carver C-2 pre with M-200t power amp

While in NZ, I finally settle on the combination of a Carver C-2 pre-amp partnered with a Carver M-200t power amplifier. Could only afford this budget combination then which was able to drive the Celestion SL6s decently.

Both the pre and power amplifier had an external pewter finish on the front plate which was pleasant "eye candy".

The C-2 pre-amp performance was about average, not the best at what it does but the sonic results were acceptable. The four square ON-OFF toggle switches provided quite a flimsy feel. Usually left the C-2 in tonal bypass mode as I did not like the sonic signature from them.

I think the M-200t power amplifier was the better half of the combination with enough grunt to drive the Celestion SL6s decently. When place into mono-block mode, the M-200t truly sounds amazing! My major complaint were the el-cheapo clip-in speaker cable connectors. They could have used slightly better speaker connectors. Sigh ... could not afford 2 of these power amplifiers at the time ....

I enclosed the following pix(s) from Googling the internet as I did not have any pix(s) of my units,

Pix on internet via Googling - front

Pix on internet via Googling - rear of the units

Sold the combination Carver pre and power amplifier in the Wellington area before heading off overseas to take up a  MNC job offer in late 2000. Not much of a choice then as the NZ job market was not great at the time ...

McLaren 602 pre and 702 power amplifier

Continuation from McLaren A150B


While at that hifi dealers home on the North Shore* (basically the district across the bridge, on other side of Auckland CBD), he had a set of McLaren 602 pre and 702 stereo amplifier hook up in his living room.

*As the locals say ... North Shore - where the real people live

I REALLY LOVE THE REPRODUCTION from this combination! It sound just right - natural with all the details, just like "being there"!! Alas ... it cost as much as my used Honda Accord hatchback ... sob sob

As far as I could determine, these units were sold in the UK and Australia outside of NZ. It was  reviewed on AudioEnz

Onix RA-65

I visited The Cathay (in Singapore) not long after it was newly opened at the end of Orchard Road. There used to be a largish CD shop (think it was a HMV) on the ground floor.

Believe they used to have some sort of arrangement with one of the HIFI resellers, as they were different speakers and amplifier (deployed near the shop) entrance every so often.

Just so happen I was shopping for a floorstander at the time - hence paid a bit more detail to any decently priced hardware on demo. I visited the shop on a few different occasion(s) to listen to the various hardware in-use. During this period they demo a Nait-5 and a Onix A-65 driving a pair of Magnaplanar 1.5 (or 1.6?) over several weeks.

From ONIX website

When I re-visited the shop a few months later, the Nait-5 was no longer in the shop. Hence I was curious and asked regarding it. The shop assistant informed the Nait-5 threw in the towel and they used the Onix instead.

I was not looking for a amplifier then but was suitably impressed by the RA-65, enough to want to became a new owner!

Here cames the bad news ... was informed that Onix model was no longer available and that it belong to the shop, not the HIFI dealer. This seem to happen a lot to me ...

For the curious, I have never owned a Magnaplanar ... yet

Another budget EL34 integrated

Could not resist buying the following budget integrated EL34 SET amp from China - 8W per channel, about 7.4kg and with a toggle input selector!

Front view

Rear view

Internals of the amp

This amp took a while longer to be run-in before sounding right. Since I no longer have access to the other unit for comparison, believe this white unit require the volume knob to be turn to about 11-o'clock before the volume was equal to about 10-o'clock on the previous black unit. It is grunty enough to drive my DIY LS 3/5A with AB1 without issues.

Will update again once I have more listening opportunities with my new toy ...

Revisit - DIY TDA1541A DAC with USB interface

After a couple of years, the unit began to sound more and more bass-ier?

Discovered the PRC made TEAPO capacitors had an oily film on them eg the 5 greenish capacitors on left side of unit close to the OPAMP(s). Sure enough, there were many feedback on the internet about these leaky PRC capacitors.

Topview of DAC internals with only final stage output caps replaced

The bad rep TEAPO PRC capacitors used for OPAMP power supply

TEAPO 220uF 35V replaced by United Chemicon 470uF 35V capacitor

Decided to take the opportunity to replace the Panasonic FC on the final outout stage with ELNA STARGAT(s) (with HF bypass) since I had to do some soldering.

Resultant internals after TEAPO replacement and final stage capacitor swap out with ELNA STARGATES

How does the result sound?

SUPERB is the word I would use.

In a A-B comparison against my upgraded CD650, they were very close,

McLaren A150B (not Tag-McLaren)

Many would not have heard of the McLaren brand of amplifiers from NZ. I certainly didn't till I was looking to setup a proper hifi set of my own when living in Auckland, New Zealand in the late 1980(s).

Please do not confuse the NZ McLaren brand of amplifiers with the Tag-McLaren series which was basically Audiolab UK with better quality components and finishing.

The 1st McLaren I encountered was the A150 (70W per channel) integrated amplifier at a electronics shop then located near the bottom of Parnell Rise (around 1990). Was not too impressed by it's abilities.

The 2nd McLaren model I came across was the A150B (hifi dealer's home on the North Shore) and it's reproduction was much improved but had a upper HF cutoff. The reproduction was quite decent for a 75W integrated amp driving the Celestion SL6s properly.

For my then available budget, it was a definate shortlister along with the Onix OA20.

Pix of McLaren A150B from AudioNZ

Lambert SP260T Timekeeper speakers

My 1st encounter with these particular Lambert speakers were at a record shop in Singapore. The pair in that record shop were in plain black cabinets, not the beautiful wood finishing, as per pix below.

Pix of Lambert SP260T from AudioEnz

Lambert is a brand of New Zealand speakers (no longer in business). I am surprised to have not encountered them when in NZ.

That pair of  SP260T in the record shop was driven by a Jungson J88 integrated amp - just sound absolutely marvelous! Definitely helped the owner sell many CD(s) and LP(s)!!! 

Moment I asked the owner regarding the speakers, his instantaneous reply were along the lines of "...not for sale...". I just wanted to confirm the brand and model as there were no visible markings on the front of the cabinet.

A few months later, I was in a discussion regarding speakers deployed in record shops and this pair of pyramid looking speakers came up with gusto - many tried to buy them off the owner without success!

Too bad Gary Lambert sold the business. Would have loved to obtain a pair for my own pleasure.

This is the AudioEnz interview with Gary Lambert in 2014.