88, 89, 90db 6Ω load dropping to 2Ω, min is nuts for SET's but we must remember that his amps are built with Toroidal transformers which if I'm not mistaken can be implemented to better deal with low impedance drops.
Agree his results would appear to be more credible to me had he used locally for him Sonido or Cube Audio wideband drivers, at the very least as a check for using his ML hybird ESL's.
"Right off the bat, this amp initially sounded like trash. For the first 10 hours or so, the timbre was completely off. Steinways sounded like crappy keyboards and cymbals sounded like someone was was banging on an empty tin can with a spoon. It was so bad that I thought I must have screwed something up. I re-measured the test points and found nothing remarkable…"
"Closing thoughts
Overall, I'm pretty happy with my 8900 and think it's Elekit's best model thus far. If you can jive with it's sound signature, it more than holds its own against other amps around its price range. In fact, out of all the amps I've tried in this range, it's easily my first choice."
I love these reviews.
"Closing thoughts
Overall, I'm pretty happy with my 8900 and think it's Elekit's best model thus far. If you can jive with it's sound signature, it more than holds its own against other amps around its price range. In fact, out of all the amps I've tried in this range, it's easily my first choice."
I love these reviews.
A very thought-out review with me leaning to TU-8600S Lundahl if I had too. Nothing beats a Point-Point Analog for Tube Sound in the long game. As it all depends on what sound signature one is shooting for. The Equipment chain is important being Power Amp, Speakers then the rest follows. Next purchase will be Elekit TU-8550 then by the fall Pathos Inpol2 MKII Tube Hybrid IA.
Worth mentioning the TU8900 effectively has four different sound signatures which are configured by using each tube set 300b or 2A3 with or without feedback selected.
Another forum with some good feedback from on the TU-8900 can be found on headfi
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/elekit-300b-amp-kit.869957/page-5#post-16511493
Another forum with some good feedback from on the TU-8900 can be found on headfi
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/elekit-300b-amp-kit.869957/page-5#post-16511493
has anyone tried audionote copper caps? should it perform about the same as Vcaps? I understand the AN copper it is same size as silver's and thus will require some mod to fit without having to resort to a raiser for the amps top plate - even though AN states it measures 22mmD x 40mmL , so just within what elekit's page says (a 22mmx44mm max size for caps)
Thanks
Thanks
I tried both the V caps and AN copper in my 8600. I preferred V-caps by far. I did not like the AN Copper. Lacked detail and bloated in my system. However, I am running 10” full range speakers (no tweeters) and a Terminator DAC which is known for exquisite detailed highs without being shrill like some of the highly touted ”affordable“ chip based DACs I tried. So definitely system dependent.
The V caps disappear and allow the sound of the system through...maybe not for somebody with horn tweeters and a bright DAC.
They both required extensive break in. Maybe it was just an adjustment time for me. Electrolytic capacitors have a definitive conditioning period, but film caps are debatable. Either way, I gave them same amount of time. The AN coppers we’re in first and I wasn’t happy. I noticed an immediate improvement with the V caps.
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for those with the 601S TKD pot, are you using 10k, 50k or 100k? I know some of the basics - 10k the less noisy, may have some roll off depending on source, etc, but have no practical experience. Will use with the 8550 pre, which has a good volume control as selling point and I guess will be the main volume controler for me. So my tendency is to go with 10k, does that make sense and does it still depend on all the rest of my system?
I'm looking for a 2A3 amplifier and cannot decide if I need to buy the Elekit 8900 because I read that it's pretty 'analytic-sounding', not warm amplifier. I like having details but I also like the warm side of tubes. I listen a lot to female vocals, piano, guitar & jazz, sometimes electro and pop music.
My problem is also prices
, because otherwise I would have bought a Triode Lab 2A3 (7500$) which I find beautiful and seems to sound amazing!
What do you think? Can I make it lean to a more 'tubey' sound using some specific tubes?
Thanks.
My problem is also prices
, because otherwise I would have bought a Triode Lab 2A3 (7500$) which I find beautiful and seems to sound amazing!What do you think? Can I make it lean to a more 'tubey' sound using some specific tubes?
Thanks.