Editorial note: Written by Alan Elsdon and Re-engineered by Colin Wonfor (above) Q: Looking at the EWA power cord – your MC-V – it doesn’t look anything special. But knowing you, there’s clever engineering that’s gone into it and so a few questions if I may. Let’s start by looking at the topic through the […]
COLIN WONFOR’S TECHNICAL CLINIC:
Found 76 results
Hi Colin. Just had a crackle in a left channel (nothing you’ve built by the way), fade to nothing, then that stench of death. Took the lid off my Crimson mono (a simple oblong) and all looks healthy in fact like new, the only thing that’s gone is the fuse. Could it be a mains […]
Q: Colin – help required please! Hum and woofer oscillation… I have just rearranged my system and entire room. This has lead me to run my Pioneer PL-707 with Denon DL-301II through an AU-320 SUT to my (freshly recapped) Accuphase C-200 and on to my little Cayin TA30. It’s the smallest amp I have and […]
Hello Colin, please be patient with me because although I am an experienced listener I’m not very conversant with the technology that is available today. By this I mean I really just plug in and just listen. However recently I started to think about some of the units I use, In particular a Musical Fidelity […]
Hello Colin What sources and speakers does you use in development and why please? Thanks. Mike Hi Mike, Now that is a tricky question I like my old Ruark Sabres, they are old friends made for me by my old friend. I also use Spendors, and borrow others makes depending on what I am designing. […]
Hi Colin. I love your ‘clinic’. Neil promised that you might be offering education for us novices. So may I ask – have you ever thought about using braided hose to run your interconnects. I am talking about type usually found as brake lines on motorbikes and car braking systems, i was messing around with […]
Dear Colin, I recently saw a 240v integrated amp from the UK and was wondering if it is ok to use with a Step Down Converter? What are the pros and cons of using a step down device? Does it affect the sound and am I in jeopardy of blowing the transformer or ruining the […]
Dear Colin, Computer grade parts? What are computer grade parts.. such as Computer grade power-supply caps? Are these type of parts an upgrade and/or better than audiophile grade parts? For example, I’ve heard some people say, “I’ve upgraded my power supply caps in my amp to computer grade caps”. I don’t think I’d want computer […]
Q: Hello Colin. The unit in question is a Lafayette 4 channel decoder. When turning off my system, there is a popping noise from the rear speakers unless I turn the volume down on the decoder first (I’m only using the rear outputs). I’d like to eliminate the problem. I’ve searched bypass capacitor and coupling […]
Dear Colin, I’ve ordered a pair of 4-Pin DIN plugs to construct an interconnect for a Quad 33/303 system. Do both the channels need to be individually shielded, or is crosstalk not an issue here, and one could use something like this with just an overall shield? http://www.van-damme.com/14.html Failing that, can you recommend a really […]
Dear Colin, PSU caps. There are two (2) large rectangular caps at the ac inlet of the PSU of my DIY amp. They are labeled as such; 0.1uF 250V~X2. What does the X2 mean? Yeah I know, stupid question, but I’m at least looking for a intelligent answer and seeing all the past Colin’s Clinic […]
Dear Colin, power supply question. How often do we have to turn off our equipment such as power amp, pre amp. cd player , power conditioner ……? Can we leave them on for days while listening on and off or do we have to turn them off after every session of listening? As a general […]
Dear Colin, Can you tell us a little – or a lot if you wish – about the Integrated Amp design you are most proud and why please? The Claymore come to mind – the Inca Tech Claymore – it was designed on a whim for a US based company that never came back to […]
Hello Colin. I read the interview. Such a bumpy ride. Congratulations on your ‘re-birth’. Can’t tell if you are into nostalgia but anyway, assuming you are then after all this time, what are your thoughts re your Magnum IA120? I have one. Love it. Curious about IA150 and IA170. Other than power, are there any […]
Dear Colin, Solid organic polymer capacitors such as the Sanyo Oscon series have a very good reputation for digital decoupling and I’d like to use some when refurbishing an old CD player of mine as I’ve got plenty in my parts stash. Before I go fitting any I’ve got a couple of questions: 1) A […]
Dear Colin, Top resistors. Many threads with opinions on boutique coupling capacitors, but very little consolidated information on the sonics of resistors. Do you care to share your thoughts on the attributes of their favorite brands & types for specific tube and SS applications? How much of a difference does a good resistor make? My […]
Hello Colin and may I congratulate you on your resurrection. My question is this. As it is generally agreed that as a consequence of the variation of the mains waveform systems sound different at different times of any twenty four hours, do you do your fine-tuning at a similar time each day for continuity? Or […]
Dear Colin, impedance match of preamp and main amp. I am considering mating a McIntosh Mc602 with a Bat Vk 51se. I noticed the input impedance on the Mc602 is 10K. While most Bat amps are much higher. Do you see a problem with this? It seems I remember at Stereophile I used to know […]
Dear Colin, step up transformer noise. I purchased an amp from Europe that needs 240v [ I am on north American voltage].. I bought a step up/step down transformer to equalize the voltage. it works, but the transformer produces noise through the speakers, even when the amp is turned off. the transformer I bought was […]
Dear Colin, Accurate & cheap capacitance meters – are there any? Have decided a capacitance meter will come in handy for taking some of the ‘guess work’ out of cartridge loading, in terms of being able to measure the real-world capacitance if my phono cable/head shell wires/connectors together. Only problem is one of budget :/ […]
Dear Colin, I’ve just picked up a Quad 405 ready for service. When I serviced my previous 405 I used the Dada kit which came with the necessary wire. Can you tell me please what size / gauge wire I should use to replace the existing power wires? Would this be suitable? http://www.rapidonline.com/design-te…0m-reels-62317 or could […]
Dear Colin, I write for the USA.I have a worn out slider pot that I opened to inspect. I found the contact fingers had slid over the conductive coating of the resistor track that it has worn thru it down to the bare PCB. I wish I could find a replacement, but I have not […]
Hello Colin. Can you enlighten me please? I’m building a LM3886 Gainclone design for a second system, and have a few questions on the best types of passive components to choose. As it’s a second system, not looking for any exotic/expensive components, just want to make best choice of sensibly priced options, while trying to […]
Hi Colin, Pls can you help me? Can I safely run a USA spec amp designed for 110v 60Hz in the UK on 240v 50Hz, with a step down transformer (but it will still be 50Hz). So many conflicting views across the web. I think a lot of people believe it can work ok the […]