Hi Victor, are the Unit-1 and Unit-2 boards for the upgrade even available any more? I find it hard to believe that the Unit-1 and Unit-2 boards and the changed components (caps, Alps potentiometer) should be more expensive than a whole new amplifier with chassis, transformers, tubes etc..
no more . it is not cheap too. it is better to BUY the new TU-8400 W/O OPT. The opt of TU-8200 CAN USE IN TU-8400 .
Got it. Not available anymore, and not cheap when they were.
If you buy the 8400 without output transformers, as you suggest, then the remainder of your old 8200 will not be useable anymore afterwards. Can one buy just the 8400 parts that are different, to minimize the expense and waste? Do they even use the same chassis?
It might be more cost effective to buy a complete 8400 kit including standard output transformers, swap in Lundahls from your 8200 (if it was upgraded before), and then sell or gift the still functional 8200.
If you buy the 8400 without output transformers, as you suggest, then the remainder of your old 8200 will not be useable anymore afterwards. Can one buy just the 8400 parts that are different, to minimize the expense and waste? Do they even use the same chassis?
It might be more cost effective to buy a complete 8400 kit including standard output transformers, swap in Lundahls from your 8200 (if it was upgraded before), and then sell or gift the still functional 8200.
THe OPT of TU-8200 can use in TU-8400. In fact, TU-8400 onlys uses one 12AX7 driver and 2 X 0.1 couplimg caps. Als it can use KT170.
TU-8400 is a much better amp.
TU-8400 is a much better amp.
I still like my TU-8200R with Lundahls a lot. We use it regularly for vinyl (with a Technics SL-100C with AT-VM95ML cartridge), and switch to a pair of Zenductor 2s for streaming.
TU-8200 is a very good budget amp but it is a 15 years ago. TU-8400 is addressing the short coming of TU-8200.
$1200 is not a budget amp. $100 (or $150 for the Zenductor 2s, plus chassis of course) is a budget amp.
And what shortcomings?? Why do you tell me now?! ;-) 😉
Seriously now, I believe you when you say the 8400 is better, but I think at this point if I felt the need for a better or bigger tube amp, I'd probably try something with a single ended triode, like the 8900.
And what shortcomings?? Why do you tell me now?! ;-) 😉
Seriously now, I believe you when you say the 8400 is better, but I think at this point if I felt the need for a better or bigger tube amp, I'd probably try something with a single ended triode, like the 8900.
We are not comparing the amps from Amazon or Ebay.
I sold more than 2500 units of TU-8200 in the last 14 years. The common problem of TU-8200 is the FET filier. It is a good filter but If you use a bad tube it is very easy to damage the FET filter. It also cannot use tube higher than KT90. TU-8400 is to address these issues. Also the available of KT170, TU-8400 is made possible to use this tube.
The stock TU-8400 is not $1200. For amp made in Japan, $800 is a budget amp. ie. Lundahl LL2777B is a $400 upgrade.
TU-8900 is not a budget amp . Just the amorphous core is more than $945.00.
But if you look at the cost of other Stereophile Class A components then TU-8900 is cheap.
I sold more than 2500 units of TU-8200 in the last 14 years. The common problem of TU-8200 is the FET filier. It is a good filter but If you use a bad tube it is very easy to damage the FET filter. It also cannot use tube higher than KT90. TU-8400 is to address these issues. Also the available of KT170, TU-8400 is made possible to use this tube.
The stock TU-8400 is not $1200. For amp made in Japan, $800 is a budget amp. ie. Lundahl LL2777B is a $400 upgrade.
TU-8900 is not a budget amp . Just the amorphous core is more than $945.00.
But if you look at the cost of other Stereophile Class A components then TU-8900 is cheap.
Neither of those issues (FET problems when accidentally installing a bad tube; not being able to use higher wattage tubes) is a problem for me. So the TU-8200R is still a very good amplifier for me.
Hello all...
i just got a second hand of Elekit Tu-8200.... the things is i dunno is it TU-8200 or TU-8200R... how to tell mine is 8200 or 8200R ?
i just got a second hand of Elekit Tu-8200.... the things is i dunno is it TU-8200 or TU-8200R... how to tell mine is 8200 or 8200R ?
@vkung
Hi Victor,
I have an 8200R with a Lundahl transformer and your upgraded coupling caps.
I recently noticed that the left channel is making a very faint putt, putt, putt, puttaputt noise. It is rhythmic, but no so much that you could say it was at a certain number of cycles. It is super faint--I can only hear it if I put my ear within 8 inches or so from the speaker. The noise is independent of the volume level or input switch position. It does not happen in the right channel. I have a video that I can post where you can kinda hear it, but the volume has to be turned way up.
I only recently noticed because I got my turntable out and I sit very close to the speaker when switching records.
The speaker on that channel is an EV Aristocrat with an SP12B + T35 tweeter with the original X36 crossover. The noise if below the crossover frequency (3,500), so I can only hear it out of the SP12B.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Peter
Hi Victor,
I have an 8200R with a Lundahl transformer and your upgraded coupling caps.
I recently noticed that the left channel is making a very faint putt, putt, putt, puttaputt noise. It is rhythmic, but no so much that you could say it was at a certain number of cycles. It is super faint--I can only hear it if I put my ear within 8 inches or so from the speaker. The noise is independent of the volume level or input switch position. It does not happen in the right channel. I have a video that I can post where you can kinda hear it, but the volume has to be turned way up.
I only recently noticed because I got my turntable out and I sit very close to the speaker when switching records.
The speaker on that channel is an EV Aristocrat with an SP12B + T35 tweeter with the original X36 crossover. The noise if below the crossover frequency (3,500), so I can only hear it out of the SP12B.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Peter
I does not change with volume change or input change. I am running a DAC into input 1, and a phono preamp into input 2.
It is not too bothersome, since I cannot hear it more than a foot from the speaker.
It is not too bothersome, since I cannot hear it more than a foot from the speaker.