[JamieMcC]

Hi all great to see some familiar names here also. I found the thread after looking for info on the Elekit TU-8600SVK with the Llundahl LL2785B C-core output transformers.

Main use would be as a speaker amp so it's a bit of a bonus that its good performer with headphones as well.

The Bottlehead Kaiju is also a consideration however the Elekit seems more widely reviewed.

Ps I'm also a Mainline owner and listening to the Bottlehead Sex amp via speakers at the moment also

Cheers Jamie

 

[itsikhefez]

Hi Jamie... after building both the Mainline and the TU-8600 (I don't own either anymore though), I would recommend the Elekit.
I think at their prices it is a much better value. The Kaiju has what seem like rather small EI transformers, which the Lundahl are likely of much higher quality.
You do get the HP output which is nice, and the input tubes are more standard (12AU7/12AX7), although some people dislike those.
Also, building on the PCB is faster compared to P2P (cutting the wires to length on the Mainline was a real pain for me).

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

Some of the old diy dudes are here I owned the Mainline for a while and listened to the Elekit with the Lundahls at Capital Audio Fest. The Mainline has very close to a solid state sound, whereas the TU-8600 sounds like a well-made traditional 300B SET, warm yet detailed. I'd personally take the Elekit any day of the week, but it is a more expensive amp. I did have enough fancy parts in the Mainline to be the same price, so whether that is apples to apples I leave that to your judgement. I prefer the 6SN7, 12SL7, etc. driver tubes over the 12AU7 X 2 + 12AX7 in the Elekit, but we can't have it all, can we? ...well, unless you want to pony up for the Cayin HA-300.

Jamie I know a fellow with a PCB you might be interested in. Sending PM.

 

[smodtactical]

Some of the old diy dudes are here I owned the Mainline for a while and listened to the Elekit with the Lundahls at Capital Audio Fest. The Mainline has very close to a solid state sound, whereas the TU-8600 sounds like a well-made traditional 300B SET, warm yet detailed. I'd personally take the Elekit any day of the week, but it is a more expensive amp. I did have enough fancy parts in the Mainline to be the same price, so whether that is apples to apples I leave that to your judgement. I prefer the 6SN7, 12SL7, etc. driver tubes over the 12AU7 X 2 + 12AX7 in the Elekit, but we can't have it all, can we? ...well, unless you want to pony up for the Cayin HA-300.

Jamie I know a fellow with a PCB you might be interested in. Sending PM.

You think the ha300 is better than the elekit?

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

They're similar in performance, I'd have to have them side by side to make that call. Given my attenuation, rectification and driver tube preferences I'd probably prefer the HA-300, but maybe there's some unknown secret sauce in the Elekit that would change my mind. Do note these are preferences versus better/worse, but the 300B is already a polarizing tube so you probably knew that already... some people would say 2A3s are better, some 45s, it's all in the ear of the beholder

 

[JamieMcC]

I noticed on the Elekit website they have a new amp due to be released this month that you can swap between 300b and 2a3 reads like it's just plug and play. Didn't see any pricing.


300B/2A3 SE POWER AMP KIT [ TU-8900E ]

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

Nice! Here's a link for anyone interested: https://www.elekit.co.jp/en/product/TU-8900E

 

[JamieMcC]

Posted today includes comparison to the Mainline

 

[smodtactical]

They're similar in performance, I'd have to have them side by side to make that call. Given my attenuation, rectification and driver tube preferences I'd probably prefer the HA-300, but maybe there's some unknown secret sauce in the Elekit that would change my mind. Do note these are preferences versus better/worse, but the 300B is already a polarizing tube so you probably knew that already... some people would say 2A3s are better, some 45s, it's all in the ear of the beholder

How would ha300 or tu8600 compare to stellaris or ec studio or other totl amps?

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

I personally haven't heard either. I prefer the Linear Tube Audio MZ3 over the HA300 with most headphones. It's very neutral and non fatiguing. The HA300 leans warmer and less resolving on the top end, but sometimes that can be nice. I think I have a still-active discount code for LTA if you decide you want to go that route.

 

[smodtactical]

I personally haven't heard either. I prefer the Linear Tube Audio MZ3 over the HA300 with most headphones. It's very neutral and non fatiguing. The HA300 leans warmer and less resolving on the top end, but sometimes that can be nice. I think I have a still-active discount code for LTA if you decide you want to go that route.

Thank you! PMd

 

[JamieMcC]

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/elekit/374425-elekit-tu-8900-2a3-300b.html

 

[itsikhefez]

I'm definitely not an expert but does a 12AU7 have enough drive capability for a 300B? I know atleast with the TU-8600S that it had 2 stages of gain. That said, it was also possible to use the 12BH7A with the Neurochrome DG300B so perhaps its fine.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

I'm definitely not an expert but does a 12AU7 have enough drive capability for a 300B? I know atleast with the TU-8600S that it had 2 stages of gain. That said, it was also possible to use the 12BH7A with the Neurochrome DG300B so perhaps its fine.

I think it might have to be wired in parallel based on this post: https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tub...ted-amp-help-choose-circuit-design-print.html

...interesting that the tube cage is polycarbonate for IEC compliance.

 

[JamieMcC]

I'm definitely not an expert but does a 12AU7 have enough drive capability for a 300B? I know atleast with the TU-8600S that it had 2 stages of gain. That said, it was also possible to use the 12BH7A with the Neurochrome DG300B so perhaps its fine.

I know 12BH7A can also be used in the new TU 8900 in place of 12au7

From the designer on the diyaudio site

12BH7A instead of 12AU7
TU-8900 is designed to use 12AU7 as voltage amplifying tubes. However, 12BH7A, with high driving ability, can also be used instead of 12AU7.