What happened? Did the volume PC board come loose? It sags down on the left.
Or is it just hanging by the wires until the volume potentiometer is bolted to the front panel?
Elekit TU-8400 review
I recently purchased a TU-8400 kit from VK Music/ Victor Kung. This is the first kit I've built since a Dynaco PAT-4 many years ago. The TU-8400 kit is thoughtfully put together with very well written instruction book and excellent parts packaging, every part including screws and washers was perfect.
I took my time with the build clocking in about four days to complete. Anxiously, I plugged in the amplifier to preheat the tubes, to my pleasure, it worked and produced sound! The TU-8400 can use many power tube configurations, which was a major buying point for me. I have other amps using EL-34PH and I enjoy that tube, kind of medium power with a softer sound. So, of course, I choose the similar KT-77 and changed the stock preamp tube to a Mullard. Because of this amp, my new favorite tube may be the KT-77, it glows pretty bright and in the amp looks like a couple of fireplaces.
After some playtime, I started hearing some buzzing so I contacted Victor and after a bit the problem was solved. It was my mistake. I had soldered in the upgraded caps and the stock caps! Victor corrected the problem very quickly. Victor Kung loves D.I.Y. projects and the Elekit line. It was always a pleasure to talk with him on the phone and he called several times to converse on the progress. I don't know many companies that would have the level of support.
The Elekit TU-8400 easily drives a set of Decware DFH "headwreckers" using a 10" Lii P-10 driver. The dynamics, separation and soundstage are superior, the amp is very quiet. My views here are all subjective but this is the sixth tube amp in my system now, it rates near the top of the list.
If you are looking for an excellent amplifier and a reasonable price with the fun of a build, I recommend this Elekit. I enjoy it so much, I'm already thinking for their 300B model!
I recently purchased a TU-8400 kit from VK Music/ Victor Kung. This is the first kit I've built since a Dynaco PAT-4 many years ago. The TU-8400 kit is thoughtfully put together with very well written instruction book and excellent parts packaging, every part including screws and washers was perfect.
I took my time with the build clocking in about four days to complete. Anxiously, I plugged in the amplifier to preheat the tubes, to my pleasure, it worked and produced sound! The TU-8400 can use many power tube configurations, which was a major buying point for me. I have other amps using EL-34PH and I enjoy that tube, kind of medium power with a softer sound. So, of course, I choose the similar KT-77 and changed the stock preamp tube to a Mullard. Because of this amp, my new favorite tube may be the KT-77, it glows pretty bright and in the amp looks like a couple of fireplaces.
After some playtime, I started hearing some buzzing so I contacted Victor and after a bit the problem was solved. It was my mistake. I had soldered in the upgraded caps and the stock caps! Victor corrected the problem very quickly. Victor Kung loves D.I.Y. projects and the Elekit line. It was always a pleasure to talk with him on the phone and he called several times to converse on the progress. I don't know many companies that would have the level of support.
The Elekit TU-8400 easily drives a set of Decware DFH "headwreckers" using a 10" Lii P-10 driver. The dynamics, separation and soundstage are superior, the amp is very quiet. My views here are all subjective but this is the sixth tube amp in my system now, it rates near the top of the list.
If you are looking for an excellent amplifier and a reasonable price with the fun of a build, I recommend this Elekit. I enjoy it so much, I'm already thinking for their 300B model!
Thanks for your review! Just curious what other amps you have in rotation and how do you feel the 8400 compares to them? I am also interested in building an 8400 for my office! I have the 8600 and 8900 and they are both absolutely stellar amps.
Hi Guys
Someone told me installing heatsink to the FETs is not necessary for TU-8400 or TU-8200R.
I don't know correctness and rationale as I don't have electrical background.
Would you please share your view? Thanks
Someone told me installing heatsink to the FETs is not necessary for TU-8400 or TU-8200R.
I don't know correctness and rationale as I don't have electrical background.
Would you please share your view? Thanks
I would not chance that personally. Even if they aren't required what would it hurt to have them? I'm not familiar with the topology of 8200 or 8400 but if Mr. Fujita thought it necessary for adequate heat dissipation I would not omit them personally.
I can heartily recommend the TU-8900. It can use 300B and 2A3. My preference is 2A3. It's an amazing sounding amp.
Dear gwompki,
Thanks for recommending the TU-8900 and the 2A3 tube. Does the 2A3 have a similar sound to 300B?
The other tube amps I use in a multi speaker setup are..
Willsenson R8 > TAD TSM-300
Dr. Bag PP amp > KRK V88 plate amp disabled
Douk KT88 > ESS Rock Monitors
Decware SEUFO84 > Lii S-10 open Baffles
Douk B300 mono blocks tube amps > ESS AMT's (4)
TU-8400 > Decware Headwreckers w/ Lii P-10 (quite amazing)
The Decware SEUFO84 is very good but not enough power for most speakers.
I'd say the 2A3 and 300B are similar. The 300B has a bit more grunt and low end while the 2A3 has perhaps less low end, but it seems to be tighter and more well defined. I personally love both but I think that has a lot to do with system synergy. The Zu Soul Vi are a fantastic match for both amps (8600/8900) and both types of tubes. This is the longest I have ha a set of speakers in my main system and have no plans to change them soon. I run a REL classic 98 to supplement the low end but I am very happy without the sub as well. When switching to 2A3 from 300B I have to adjust the crossover point and gain a couple of clicks based on my in room measurements. Very minor adjustments.
I'm very curious about your Lii speakers. I've really wanted to try a set of open baffles in my office. The 8900 currently lives in my main system and the 8600 lives upstairs in my office. I'm having a hard time finding a set of speakers that will fit with the 8600 in a small near(ish) field setup.
I'm going to attempt to get into speaker building and plan to build a kit of CSS bookshelf speakers over the holiday. If that works well I'm hopefully going to take on a more ambitious project and build a high efficiency design for the 8600.
I'm very curious about your Lii speakers. I've really wanted to try a set of open baffles in my office. The 8900 currently lives in my main system and the 8600 lives upstairs in my office. I'm having a hard time finding a set of speakers that will fit with the 8600 in a small near(ish) field setup.
I'm going to attempt to get into speaker building and plan to build a kit of CSS bookshelf speakers over the holiday. If that works well I'm hopefully going to take on a more ambitious project and build a high efficiency design for the 8600.
Dear grompki,
Lii speakers are a surprise, I purchased the S-10's without hearing them. At first, they were quite the paint peelers, after maybe 200 hours they softened up nicely. My one little kids really like then over all the sets we have in the house. These S-10's are mounted in a soap stone OB about 25" X 32". I really like the sound of the stone OB, they are powered by Decware SE84UFO with all upgrades. This is a perfect match.
I also have a Lii 6.5" set in a wood OB, just a speaker, nothing special there. What I learned is OB seems to need a large surface to work. If you build a set, stick with the 10".
I really want to try their F-15 in a stone OB, but there is no more room in our home for this.
I can recommend the Decware Tiny Radials, if you need a small set.
Or the model Lii Song F15M from Decware or LiiSong. I also like CSS, I have their big sub with the 2 passives.
You got me excited about the Elekit 9800. Did you but it from Victor Kung? He is very good at Elekit.
Lii speakers are a surprise, I purchased the S-10's without hearing them. At first, they were quite the paint peelers, after maybe 200 hours they softened up nicely. My one little kids really like then over all the sets we have in the house. These S-10's are mounted in a soap stone OB about 25" X 32". I really like the sound of the stone OB, they are powered by Decware SE84UFO with all upgrades. This is a perfect match.
I also have a Lii 6.5" set in a wood OB, just a speaker, nothing special there. What I learned is OB seems to need a large surface to work. If you build a set, stick with the 10".
I really want to try their F-15 in a stone OB, but there is no more room in our home for this.
I can recommend the Decware Tiny Radials, if you need a small set.
Or the model Lii Song F15M from Decware or LiiSong. I also like CSS, I have their big sub with the 2 passives.
You got me excited about the Elekit 9800. Did you but it from Victor Kung? He is very good at Elekit.
Attachments
Those look great!
Yes I bought the 8900 from Victor and believe most folks on this forum but directly from him. Amazing service and a true passion for the hobby.
Yes I bought the 8900 from Victor and believe most folks on this forum but directly from him. Amazing service and a true passion for the hobby.
I love diy concept. I have built speakers from kit, have
built ACA amp from kit, but building this amp was intimidating me (I am just not very handy - to quote Red Green if your are not handsome you should be handy - once was) and Victor had option for him to build it. He did in early January.
Have been approaching 100 hours and sounding great so some information. Photos with what is to be resolved.
Have been approaching 100 hours and sounding great so some information. Photos with what is to be resolved.
- Speakers are DC10 BerlinR (best speakers I have heard short of 50K with right amp) which are 95+db and you know they really like the 8400s
- upgrades included Lundahl OPTs and volume pots - fully open with Don Sachs preamp
- one issue with preamp is no room for Rega P3 with a bunch of upgrades and new rigB AT cartridge
- speakers underneath are Ellis 1801Bs that would clearly not be driven by the Elekit 8400 amp
- using the EL34 tubes but at bottom of left hand rack have KT150 amp that does drive the Ellis' just fine - thinking of these in place of the 34's but haven't tried this yet - any experience?
- Victor - KSFR New Mexico streaming - Monday morning great great Jazz show, KNKX Tacoma - although us Canucks getting twitchy about US anything this week
Victor suggested putting a set of KT-170 power tubes in my new TU-8400 so I did buy from him and install.
Well, I can report these big tubes sound full across the spectrum, very solid in the mid- low frequencies.
They are quite different from the KT-77's. The 77's are very midrange special. I do run a subwoofer with this setup but with the KT-170, it's a pleasure not to use the sub.
The TU-8400 powers a pair of Decker designed Headwreckers using the Lii P-10 drivers. What a great set up.
I am using KT 150s which I had in another amp. Certainly much tighter sound - found the EL34s quite soft - although great mid range with vocals. Will stick with these for a bit although I also have KT 120s and 6550s which I could try. Might eventually spend the money and go for the 170s though if that is top of the food chain.
Wondering if anyone has a CAYIN HA-1A MK2 and compared to the tu-8400 from a purely headphone amp point of view. But I think the 8400 is far more versatile but wondering if it has a meaty tube sound