As I have mentioned I am designing a 6AU6 based mic preamp. Thanks to Patrick et al I now have hum free HT rails. However, I still find some 50Hz hum and 10mS period PSU spikes in the output. By shorting the grid of the first stage these both disappear so that is where they are getting in. By turning off the HT they also both disappear so it seems the source is the PSU. So the question is...

I have some records listed on eBay including a rare 'The Damned, with erratum sticker, if anybody is interested. http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZblubbly1QQhtZ-1 Thanks, coralreef

Going cheap - please get in touch to discuss, thanks

There was an article in yesterday's (London) Times about remastering, 'louder is better', and the new Led Zeppelin compilation, 'Mothership'. It's also online, but without the usual graph comparing the dynamic range of various versions. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2877291.ece "I have to make my judgments based on selling as many records as possible....

Not all is gloom in the dynamic range midden. I've just been pulling to pieces a bit of Led Zeppelin to compare a recent CD of LZ IV with my original vinyl copy. I'm happy to be able to report that the new CD has hugely *increased* dynamics over the vinyl, and there is no sign of any mastering engineer making it loud. It is so nice when the artists have the muscle to stay in...

I am designing a tube based microphone pre-amplifier. At present I am trying to sort out the HT supply topology. I would prefer a simple RC network but this reduces the anode volts available to the first stage. I want to avoid 'anode starvation' and it attendant colouration so my question is below what voltage would the anode be considered to be 'starved'? The preamp uses 6AU6...

I've been thinking about getting a demagnetizer to make my old records sound better. I've seen them advertised and wondered if they were any good and what kind of difference I could expect once I've invested in one. This is to go with my old Amstrad stack unit which is in my bedroom. Do you think it would be a worthwhile buy for me? TIA

I gave up the idea of direct tube drive of Quad ESL63 years ago as too hot and too dangerous. But my recent experiences with Stax electrostatic earphones driven by small OTL tube amps makes me wonder if the next breakthrough in tube amps will not be a combination set of a tube amp directly driving the associated fullsize electrostatic fullrange speaker. Andre Jute Visit Jute on Amps at...

ORDERS PLACED 20 - 23 NOVEMBER 2007 =========================== Due to a technical outage data for ORDER NUMBERS between 00003009 to 00003034 inclusive (check your confirmation email) has been irretrievably corrupted. Please can you REORDER if this affects you. The affected orders have NOT been billed.

I'm searching for a forum of those interested in restoring vintape reel to reel tape recorders & discussing the do's & don'ts. Please tell me if this is the right place or if you've any other suggestions. I live in the United States, Brick New Jersey, 08724 to be specific. Thank you.

Just got back from a lovely, leefy 'bike ride in the gorgeous (but thin) afternoon sun and wuz talking to my next door neighbour.. A few days ago he told me the local Robber Baron 'HiFi Shop had quoted him 50 quid to fix his (presumably ancient) VCR machine. I told him to tell them to get stuffed and gave him a perfectly tidy Panasonic DVD Recorder I simply never use. The shop has...

http://www.apollohifi.co.uk/modular.htm The above looks nice, but I was wondering exactly what was about. I'd actually prefer to make up a modular system myself - been eyeing up copper piping! Any ideas - anyone done this? Other alternative is a 19" rack stand - preferably skeletal, open sides.

Just to let people know that I have now put up a webpage on the effects of finite bandwidth on the distortion levels for FM audio broadcasts. Can be found on my audiomisc site. The page combines the content from an earlier HFN article with some extra material I produced a while ago when discussing this issue on uk.rec.audio. Slainte, Jim

Hi, I'm trying to do some research work in Speech Recognition. I just notice that a good microphone is very important for the accurary rate. It seems that USB headset with microphone is better. But it's too hard for me to choose. Would you please recommend one for me? Price could be $50 - $100. Thanks in advance!

I am renovating a British Vortexion tape recorder, model WVA which is the mono version of the CBL shown in the pic below. Does anyone here have a schematic? http://www.kolumbus.fi/iain.churches/Pics/VortexionCBL6.jpg TIA

Available now hi-fi+ issue 55 UK & Europe NOW N. America 31st December 07 NOW also available as downloadable e-edition (http://www.hifiplus.com/eedition_about.html) Secure ordering of subscriptions, backissues, and folders available on the web site Issue 55 contents listed below (http://www.hifiplus.com/issue55.html) News (http://www.hifiplus.com/news.html)

http://www.apah69.dsl.pipex.com/show/L1010107.JPG http://www.apah69.dsl.pipex.com/show/L1010108.JPG http://www.apah69.dsl.pipex.com/show/L1010109.JPG (I can't help it - it must my 'Change Of Life'...!! :-) More he

I often see volume control pots with their wiper connected directly to the grid of the following tube. Trouble is as they wear they get a bit scratchy and often lead to the grid becoming disconnected. Would you agree it is good practice to add a resistor (say 1Meg) directly across the grid? Cheers Ian

My little niece is staying with me, and for fun I made this for her today, because she saw it in a film and thought it was really cool. So here's the question. Who was the star of the film? And for your supplementary, what is it? Piccy later, when you've guessed. http://81.174.169.10/odds/mystery.mp3

Sheffield library has taken the plunge: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/libraries/find/all-libraries/music--video-library Time to dust down the record bag and see what's what. Rob