Has anyone compared their elekit tube amps to production stuff ? If so what were your findings? I know Herb Reichert said the TU8600 competes well with amps costing $20,000. I wonder if any has experience with comparisons to non-diy devices.
I have has several non-diy tube integrated / pre & amp combos in the past. But its been so long and I dont have that gear any longer. Dont know if its just me but I do find modern tube gear diy or non-diy to sound more solid state........no flaming please 🙂
Conrad Johnson PV series was old school warm tubey sounding, the older Audio Research combos were not at all like that. Older Rogue Audio gear was more on the tubey side but these days they sound solid state to me. Again this is just my experience.
Do I like the 8600S? YES !!! How does it compare to all the other gear I mentioned ? Its more detailed, engages you into the music which I have never experienced before. My other KT66 amp can push out the same songs with extra bass but it lacks the inner details and when listening to jazz or vocals, it is no match for 8600S.
I never understood what Victor was saying about this not being a HIFI amp until I heard the 8600S. What is wrong with HIFI ? I thought that is what we are all into ? 🙂
but what he is trying to say, is that the music played comes out with just the right PRAT (google it). Music is engaging, voices and instruments are believable and the rhythm/timing is remarkable.
Conrad Johnson PV series was old school warm tubey sounding, the older Audio Research combos were not at all like that. Older Rogue Audio gear was more on the tubey side but these days they sound solid state to me. Again this is just my experience.
Do I like the 8600S? YES !!! How does it compare to all the other gear I mentioned ? Its more detailed, engages you into the music which I have never experienced before. My other KT66 amp can push out the same songs with extra bass but it lacks the inner details and when listening to jazz or vocals, it is no match for 8600S.
I never understood what Victor was saying about this not being a HIFI amp until I heard the 8600S. What is wrong with HIFI ? I thought that is what we are all into ? 🙂
but what he is trying to say, is that the music played comes out with just the right PRAT (google it). Music is engaging, voices and instruments are believable and the rhythm/timing is remarkable.
Interesting. I always thought what he meant by that it wasn't hyperdetailed, hyper real/fast sound but that it was instead more natural, real, immersive sounding which lead to a greater emotional connection.
When people describe elekit or other tube amps as SS sounding it makes me think whats the point of hassling with tubes then? Just get SS.
But I suppose I have to hear it to understand.
When people describe elekit or other tube amps as SS sounding it makes me think whats the point of hassling with tubes then? Just get SS.
But I suppose I have to hear it to understand.
Right, all depends on your system. It is detailed and immersive for sure. I just don’t like it too detailed because it ends up being too bright for me so I end up swapping out caps. I also use warmer tubes where I can such as Cv4003.
Let me say this…. I liked the 8600 and 300B so much I ordered TU 8900 from Victor 🙂
Let me say this…. I liked the 8600 and 300B so much I ordered TU 8900 from Victor 🙂
Forgot to mention I had Primaluna Evo integrated and after a weekend, it went back to the dealer. It just lacked emotion.
At end of the day as you said you just need to try it. If you don’t like it there are people out there that will want it based on Stereophile and other reviews.
As you know, too many variables are in play to make a blanket statement. Example, I have Zu Audio speakers that can sound pretty bright, people either like them or don’t. I was fascinated by the wide imaging and detail presented but even with Clarity caps installed at factory, I found top end touch bright. Reaching out to Zu they suggested adding resistors. Luckily I bought them with speakers. Adding 25ohm brought back bass and dropped the brightness. So it appears to me 8600 likes a more resistive load??? Audio gurus can chime in here.
Could it also be that my Cossor 300B has burnt in or my rca 12au7 have burnt in? Too many variables for sure.
At end of the day as you said you just need to try it. If you don’t like it there are people out there that will want it based on Stereophile and other reviews.
As you know, too many variables are in play to make a blanket statement. Example, I have Zu Audio speakers that can sound pretty bright, people either like them or don’t. I was fascinated by the wide imaging and detail presented but even with Clarity caps installed at factory, I found top end touch bright. Reaching out to Zu they suggested adding resistors. Luckily I bought them with speakers. Adding 25ohm brought back bass and dropped the brightness. So it appears to me 8600 likes a more resistive load??? Audio gurus can chime in here.
Could it also be that my Cossor 300B has burnt in or my rca 12au7 have burnt in? Too many variables for sure.
I also find the top end on the TU-8600S a bit harsh with the Brimar 12AU7 and the Gold Lion Genalex 12AX7. I took the Psvane 12AU7-T MKII from my TU-8200DX and tried them. The harshness was gone so I ordered a set of new Psvane art series 12AX7-S and 12AU7-S to replace both the the Brimar and the Gold Lion. Problem is solved! BTW, I am driving a pair of Magnepan MG2.5R speakers and they are not the most efficient speakers around, and my volume control is always between 9 to 11 o'clock mark. Don't let the low wattage of these amps scare you away!
The one advantage of tube amps is if you don't like the sound, then change the tubes. Try that with solid state amps!!!
The one advantage of tube amps is if you don't like the sound, then change the tubes. Try that with solid state amps!!!
I had same results with psvane 12ax7 but kept rca 12au7. Funny you mention Maggie’s, I been curious as to how they sound with 8600. I had mmg, 1.2, 1.6 and lrs, but all were driven by monster amps.
It was more obvious when I change the two 12AU7 with the older Psvane 12AU7-T MKII. I don't notice a huge difference with the 12AX7 changed.
The MG2.5R used true ribbon tweeters while the lower end models were using quasi ribbon tweeters. The MG2.5R and the TU-8600S is a great combination when it comes to resolve micro details. It can be harsh if the amp itself is too transparent. This was the reason I want to replace the Brimar 12AU7 with the Psvane 12AU7.
When it comes vocal presentation, I prefer the TU-8200DX over the TU-8600S. The TU8600-S project a wider voice image, while the TU-8200DX has more confine voice image in the center and it gives the sensation that the singer is standing right in front of me.
To sum it with the two amps:
The TU-8200 with the 6L6GC is the slowest. Voice has lots of air and the bass is deep and snappy, but not punchy.
TU8200 with the Psvane KT88 MKII - after break in (it sounded very dry and flat when not break in) Highs are more extended and the bass is more punchy. It is kind in the middle of the road between the TU8200DX with the 6L6GC and the new TU-8600S.
TU-8600S - it has the best timbre so far for me!
The MG2.5R used true ribbon tweeters while the lower end models were using quasi ribbon tweeters. The MG2.5R and the TU-8600S is a great combination when it comes to resolve micro details. It can be harsh if the amp itself is too transparent. This was the reason I want to replace the Brimar 12AU7 with the Psvane 12AU7.
When it comes vocal presentation, I prefer the TU-8200DX over the TU-8600S. The TU8600-S project a wider voice image, while the TU-8200DX has more confine voice image in the center and it gives the sensation that the singer is standing right in front of me.
To sum it with the two amps:
The TU-8200 with the 6L6GC is the slowest. Voice has lots of air and the bass is deep and snappy, but not punchy.
TU8200 with the Psvane KT88 MKII - after break in (it sounded very dry and flat when not break in) Highs are more extended and the bass is more punchy. It is kind in the middle of the road between the TU8200DX with the 6L6GC and the new TU-8600S.
TU-8600S - it has the best timbre so far for me!