Recent content by sercoe

The folks that like Thorens rate the super as one of their best performers. Sure there are more expensive and sought after options but that doesn't mean much if you just want a great TT.

Even with a CT coil installed close to the main circuit breaker, such measurements taken by a Deye/Sunsynk inverter are known to be inaccurate. Best practice is always to install an energy meter (Chint DDSU666 if single phase) as close to the main breaker (or council meter) as possible. It...

All imported supermarket coffee beans are over-roasted by necessity. People like it because they are used to it. A local roaster that sources quality Arabica beans will be hard to beat. When in Benoni give Black Owl a try. Then keep searching as the perfect cup is still in your future.

The Mullard valves that get all the rave reviews must be impossible to find as only a few pulls ever came my way. Box plates are very well made. However, usually the best finds are rebrand tubes as folk sell them on without knowing exactly who made them. Happy hunting.

Sorbothane is often used in clean rooms as dust from your shoes sticks to it like crazy. I tried it under a component and promptly destroyed the paint finish of the component below. It works about as well as paint stripper so beware if a mate comes bearing gifts.

While they won't stop you from coming home, you will be given the run around by the officer checking your passport. The SA government site states that 30 day validity is required from day of travel (ie 30 days from date of return) and the two blank pages. Not all officials know this but as you...

Foobar is best if you don't want to pay up for HQPlayer. The interface may be dull but the filter options cannot be beaten.

A 3D printed gear worked for me. The files are available on the web (free download). Just remember to print a few and then pick the best ones as they shouldn't cost more than R15 each. A bit of filing to smooth the edges might also be required. An open flame has also been suggested but I...

Hi Years ago Micro Etch sorted out a very small stainless mask for me (0.2mm thick, or less). At the time they used high definition laser cutting. It seems that these days etching is also an option from them. Take care handling that BeCu foil. That stuff is toxic.

Then there is the confusion around "true" NOS and NIB (New In Box). Some claim that true NOS tubes will be in their original boxes, designating this NIB but then sometimes tubes are sold in white boxes and also described as NIB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/310025952979348/ This FB Valve group has lots of smart folk on it. They regularly identify very strange valves from a single pic. Put easy to identify tubes on there at your peril.

Hi The valve on the left was made in China (Shuguang). The heights of the valves, from left to right (excluding pins), are 130mm, 136mm and 152mm, respectively. All of these were purchased more than ten years ago so newer valves may be different but I doubt that they will be larger.

Hi Karel Most Chinese 300Bs seem to have a similar height, however, JJ 300Bs that I purchased a few years ago are noticeably higher.

Actually power was derived by James Joule. Electric Power – The Physics Hypertextbook

The adhesive used to keep those caps in place (before soldering) is also a known failure point. With time they corrode the tracks on the PCB and occasionally it even becomes conductive. You will find many techs online that recommend removing all that black junk when caps are replaced. No glue...