[UntilThen]

Well, you have a new amp-owner-in-law (...?). I just purchased a TU-8200R from a EE builder/seller on eBay. The 8200 has upgraded Mundorf aluminium capacitors, ALPS 27, and more . I have my order in for Genalex/Gold Lion EL34s (cryogenically treated) and am stocked with Brimar 12au7s & Raytheon 7730s. Itching to run the gamut from Gjallarhorn JM to ZMF Auteur...from Focal Clear to Senn HD600.

Congratulations ! You won't regret it and if you do sell it later, it will go faster than you can put up your advert. But why would you sell this very quiet and not hot and lovely sounding amp? GL EL34 is a good choice to partner those headphones for a euphonic, romantic and yet very clear and powerful tone. Later I suggest getting a pair of Gold Lion KT77. They are absolutely a delight.

Man you have no idea what you're stepping into. I'm very surprise this amp is not more widely adopted. Sounding good on headphones and speakers. It's a tough act to follow. There's no big brand marketing here.

 

[UntilThen]

Well, you have a new amp-owner-in-law (...?). I just purchased a TU-8200R from a EE builder/seller on eBay. The 8200 has upgraded Mundorf aluminium capacitors, ALPS 27, and more . I have my order in for Genalex/Gold Lion EL34s (cryogenically treated) and am stocked with Brimar 12au7s & Raytheon 7730s. Itching to run the gamut from Gjallarhorn JM to ZMF Auteur...from Focal Clear to Senn HD600.

I'm very tempted to sell off this used older version TU-8200 and get what you got - the upgraded TU-8200R because I've not been so hyped with a new amp before and it's the cheapest of all my amps as I bought it used.

He1000se and Elekit TU-8200 is a match made in heaven with Bifrost 2. I think a Susvara will do nicely here. 8200 will swing that top HiFiMan like a doll and I've heard Susvara only 3 weeks ago with Hugo TT2 + M Scalar + Auris Nirvana at the shop for 2 solid hours in total concentration with just 3 people in the shop. That's a AUD $33,000 system. What I have here is AUD $8000 system if bought new everything. It's comparable. I really want to hear a LCD4 from Elekit 8200 just to hear if I get the same experience as what I heard from Qutest --> Auris Nirvana ---> LCD4. Quite certain it's very close.

 

[UntilThen]

The beat and rhythm from Chris Lea 'Road To Hell' on He1000se and Elekit 8200 makes me want to take a day off work just to go through my classic rock catalogue on Tidal HiFi.

 

[Effusion]

@jonathan c, congratulations and welcome to the club! Let us know how it goes and what questions you have along the way!

@UntilThen, very cool about the KT77s, I'll have to pick up a pair! From what I gather it is a substitute for the EL34, hence the long thin bottle design. I also looked further into the KT90s/KT99s and they are both a drop-in for any KT88 or 6550. I also found a post where Victor confirmed the KT90 could be used, so I believe it is a go and safe to use stock.

For those interested, I also updated the original post to include the KT90s as well as a short description of the new model, the TU-8200R, including a link to a YouTube channel that goes through how to assemble the R version.

 

[jonathan c]

Thank you, @Effusion and @UntilThen ! This is what I will be using for the power tubes:

 

[UntilThen]

Hi Jonathan, that GL KT77 are exactly what I'm using now. I'll have to switch back to KT88 to compare. Listen to a day of each because I don't want to be switching every hour. It seems the KT90 are rare now but someone is selling a quad EH KT90 for a good price but I'll go slow with tubes - I want to get a pair of Cossor 801 with white ceramic base next - from Langrex.

 

[jonathan c]

Hi Jonathan, that GL KT77 are exactly what I'm using now. I'll have to switch back to KT88 to compare. Listen to a day of each because I don't want to be switching every hour. It seems the KT90 are rare now but someone is selling a quad EH KT90 for a good price but I'll go slow with tubes - I want to get a pair of Cossor 801 with white ceramic base next - from Langrex.

Not to digress too far from the “raison d’etre” of this thread, but recognition of and compliments to Langrex are in order. First class in my estimation!

 

[UntilThen]

GL Kt88 in the power seats now and GL 12au7 as drivers. Brighter than the KT77 but so much more 3D effect and voluptuous in tone. I really like the KT88 too. Here I have a share in Genalex Gold Lion - KT88, KT77, 12AU7 and Psvane 12au7.

My question is - if reissue Gold Lion sound so good, how much better would the NOS equivalent be? NOS is five times the price.

 

[jonathan c]

GL Kt88 in the power seats now and GL 12au7 as drivers. Brighter than the KT77 but so much more 3D effect and voluptuous in tone. I really like the KT88 too. Here I have a share in Genalex Gold Lion - KT88, KT77, 12AU7 and Psvane 12au7.

My question is - if reissue Gold Lion sound so good, how much better would the NOS equivalent be? NOS is five times the price.

That is an interesting case of diminishing marginal returns in the context of rationality. For tubists (tubbicts?, tuberos?, tuberas?), though, any improvement might be worth the pursuit - price be damned...I’ll risk my **s for that glow in the glass...

 

[UntilThen]

Hello guys who have experience with TU-8200 and TU8500, what benefits does adding a TU-8500 (tube phono stage and preamp) apart from 2 more input options, make?

Reason I am asking is that I can get my hands on a nearly new TU-8500 for half the price. Can't contain my happiness now. I will be able to use my Rega Rp8 with my desktop and stereo now with the Elekit stack.

Does adding the tube preamp add more of tube tone to the TU-8200 amp?

 

[UntilThen]

These are the pictures of my intended TU-8500

 

[jonathan c]

These are the pictures of my intended TU-8500

That looks quite svelte inside & outside. Go for it! Think of the 8200 & 8500 as Gemini twins. Thinking about your earlier post, one possibility for you with GLs and the like is: NOS in the phono preamp stage (maximise signal quality upstream) with “new production” in the amplifier stage...

 

[UntilThen]

Thank you Jonathan ! Gemini twins here I come !!! Brimar cv4003 in the preamp stage and Psvane 12au7 in the TU-8200. I'm so excited now I'm tripping.

The TU-8500 was professionally installed by a shop. It's like new. So I got both the TU-8200 and TU-8500 like new with very low hours. The TU-8200 was built by a guy who is very good with building amplifier kits and who knows what he is doing. It hasn't skipped a bit since I got it.

 

[jonathan c]

Thank you Jonathan ! Gemini twins here I come !!! Brimar cv4003 in the preamp stage and Psvane 12au7 in the TU-8200. I'm so excited now I'm tripping.

The TU-8500 was professionally installed by a shop. It's like new. So I got both the TU-8200 and TU-8500 like new with very low hours. The TU-8200 was built by a guy who is very good with building amplifier kits and who knows what he is doing. It hasn't skipped a bit since I got it.

That looks quite svelte inside & outside. Go for it! Think of the 8200 & 8500 as Gemini twins. Thinking about your earlier post, one possibility for you with GLs and the like is: NOS in the phono preamp stage (maximise signal quality upstream) with “new production” in the amplifier stage (downstream). With the very low signal levels in the phono preamp stage, life expectancy of the NOS tube should be greater than if it were used in a higher gain application. The expenditure on a Brimar CV4003 or maybe on a Telefunken ECC83 thereby seems less onerous.

 

[UntilThen]

Right now I'm just excited that I have an Elekit combo. I'll think of Brimar cv4003 later. Will use my Psvane 12au7 in the TU-8500 and Sylvania 12au7 in TU-8200. Paying for NOS KT66 and EL34 today.

Strangely my Sansui au alpha 907mr had channel imbalance yesterday and a friend came over and threw money in my hands and walk away with it. Now I have a new and wonderful gear in the Elekit instead and the Redgum Rgi120enr black series amp still. I was going to buy Schiit Freya + preamp but I won't now. Things evolved in my head-fi journey at a break neck speed. I'm sure I won't regret this.