Hello all and thank you in advance for any advice you can give!
I'm a long-time music lover but relatively new to tube audio equipment. I built both the TU-8200 stereo amp (currently running KT88's and with upgraded caps) and the TU-8500 preamp. This stereo is used 99% for phono input (Project Carbon Debut EVO with upgraded sub, platter, and cartridge). Currently running through Fostex BK-16 Folded Horn spearkers I also built.
I've been generally very happy with the sound. The volume is ample for my moderately sized open living room/kitchen. I rarely use this stereo with headphones.
However, lately I've been reading a lot about 300B tubes and other options and the TU-8900 looks really intriguing. I am wondering, how much of a difference am I going to notice trying out the 8900 with my setup. Open to trying different speaker and/or preamp options in the future, but the first step would be the new amp.
For reference, my musical taste is varied but a large amount of what I listen to is both old and new soul and funk with a healthy amount of fusion and jazz thrown in. Lettuce, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Weather Report, Earth, Wind & Fire, Amy Winehouse, Khruangbin, Donny Hathaway, The Meters, Otis, JB, Aretha, Herbie, well, you get the picture. However, I listen to a fair amount of other stuff, occasional hip hop and electronic music, jazz, psychedelic, etc. I grew up on classic and 90's rock. I don't listen to rock as much anymore but occasionally throw on things like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Flaming Lips, etc. Rarely play classical and occasionally some folksy stuff (Dylan, Joanna Newsom, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, etc.).
So I guess I'm asking if, for my musical tastes, will the 8900 offer something above and beyond what I already have? If so, for the music I frequent, would 300B or 2A3 be a better choice? At the price of these tubes, it would get a bit costly to do much tube flipping.
Thanks again!
Best,
Josh
I'm a long-time music lover but relatively new to tube audio equipment. I built both the TU-8200 stereo amp (currently running KT88's and with upgraded caps) and the TU-8500 preamp. This stereo is used 99% for phono input (Project Carbon Debut EVO with upgraded sub, platter, and cartridge). Currently running through Fostex BK-16 Folded Horn spearkers I also built.
I've been generally very happy with the sound. The volume is ample for my moderately sized open living room/kitchen. I rarely use this stereo with headphones.
However, lately I've been reading a lot about 300B tubes and other options and the TU-8900 looks really intriguing. I am wondering, how much of a difference am I going to notice trying out the 8900 with my setup. Open to trying different speaker and/or preamp options in the future, but the first step would be the new amp.
For reference, my musical taste is varied but a large amount of what I listen to is both old and new soul and funk with a healthy amount of fusion and jazz thrown in. Lettuce, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Weather Report, Earth, Wind & Fire, Amy Winehouse, Khruangbin, Donny Hathaway, The Meters, Otis, JB, Aretha, Herbie, well, you get the picture. However, I listen to a fair amount of other stuff, occasional hip hop and electronic music, jazz, psychedelic, etc. I grew up on classic and 90's rock. I don't listen to rock as much anymore but occasionally throw on things like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Flaming Lips, etc. Rarely play classical and occasionally some folksy stuff (Dylan, Joanna Newsom, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, etc.).
So I guess I'm asking if, for my musical tastes, will the 8900 offer something above and beyond what I already have? If so, for the music I frequent, would 300B or 2A3 be a better choice? At the price of these tubes, it would get a bit costly to do much tube flipping.
Thanks again!
Best,
Josh
Apples and oranges ...
We listen at time -at least- fifty to sixty percent of the OPT.
The 8200 has -relatively little- traditional OPT, the 8900 use c-core Lundahl.
Which mode (pentode/UL/triode) are you using the 8200 (type?)?
This determines the output power (and much more) too.
Our speaker is enough efficient (about 95dB), but usually struggling with challenges at LF, so more power may help.
The power of 8900 with 300B is closer to 8200 pentode/UL power, the 2A3 version has about similar power as triode mode 8200.
The "tone" always -overwhelmingly- depends on the output tube-OPT-speaker synergy, so if you can, listen one 8900 at your home.
We listen at time -at least- fifty to sixty percent of the OPT.
The 8200 has -relatively little- traditional OPT, the 8900 use c-core Lundahl.
Which mode (pentode/UL/triode) are you using the 8200 (type?)?
This determines the output power (and much more) too.
Our speaker is enough efficient (about 95dB), but usually struggling with challenges at LF, so more power may help.
The power of 8900 with 300B is closer to 8200 pentode/UL power, the 2A3 version has about similar power as triode mode 8200.
The "tone" always -overwhelmingly- depends on the output tube-OPT-speaker synergy, so if you can, listen one 8900 at your home.
I spent some time with a TU-8500. It had been upgraded to Mundorf Supreme caps (the basic, non-fancy Supremes). The line stage was quite good, the chip-based phono section OK, but nothing special. If you mostly listen to LPs, maybe the all-tube TU-8550 would be an upgrade.
For power amps, the base Japanese OPTs are nothing special. The Lundahl upgrades, though expensive, can make a huge improvement, after they have had at least 50 hours of break in time.
For power amps, the base Japanese OPTs are nothing special. The Lundahl upgrades, though expensive, can make a huge improvement, after they have had at least 50 hours of break in time.