[UntilThen]

I just commit to buy a pair of NOS GEC KT66 for a bomb. LF339i here with my new amp - Elekit TU-8200 that uses 6L6GC, KT88, EL34, KT90, 6550 and driver tubes are 12AU7.

 

[hp4fun]

Finally got a cheap pair of 6sj7gt. It seems it matches Bendix 6080WB slightly better than the EF86.

With 6AS7GA ($20 a pair), 6N5C ($20 a pair) and this 6sj7gt ($5 a pair), I am moving to the cheap-tube all star game from today ......

LF339i seems to be nice and friendly to cheap tubes, so far.

 

[UntilThen]

I'm over the moon with Elekit TU-8200 now. KT88 and 6L6GC rocking my boat.

 

[telecaster]

I'm over the moon with Elekit TU-8200 now. KT88 and 6L6GC rocking my boat.

SO nice! I was looking the TU 8200R up lately! Can you described what you prefer over the 339 and with which cans?
About the used LCD3, thanks for the heads up really! But i ordered a new pair in france, that headband looks worn out, and buying the carbon replacement would have made the price near the new one anyway...

I like the 339, because I can service it myself, it's such a simple amp inside is so clean and logical.
New driver tube GEC! With Telefunken 6080, it's detailed, warm, extended, smooth, transparent and with a nice bass. I love this combination.

 

[SHIMACM]

Hi guys.

I own a Darkvoice 336se and was thinking about upgrading to the LF 339i.

I know that the LF339 is an abyss of difference for Darkvoice when paired with low impedance headphones.

My question is regarding pairing with headphones with more than 300ohms.

Is the difference so big that it's worth the price difference?

 

[hp4fun]

Hi guys.

I own a Darkvoice 336se and was thinking about upgrading to the LF 339i.

I know that the LF339 is an abyss of difference for Darkvoice when paired with low impedance headphones.

My question is regarding pairing with headphones with more than 300ohms.

Is the difference so big that it's worth the price difference?

I cannot comment on the sound comparison because I did not own a 336se. But I do want to say I love the dual monaural design, and two volume controls. When I get back to other amps I miss this design when sometimes I want to adjust the channels independently (for personal preference or the problems in some old recordings).

 

[Galapac]

Hi guys.

I own a Darkvoice 336se and was thinking about upgrading to the LF 339i.

I know that the LF339 is an abyss of difference for Darkvoice when paired with low impedance headphones.

My question is regarding pairing with headphones with more than 300ohms.

Is the difference so big that it's worth the price difference?

I think it is worth the upgrade. Think of it as DV times 2. Bigger soundscape, more power, independent volume channels. Just a more pleasant experience than the DV overall. Others that had both the Dark Voice and LF 339i could chime in but I think it's worth it.

 

[SHIMACM]

I think it is worth the upgrade. Think of it as DV times 2. Bigger soundscape, more power, independent volume channels. Just a more pleasant experience than the DV overall. Others that had both the Dark Voice and LF 339i could chime in but I think it's worth it.

I asked you in private, but I followed your advice and play the question here to get other impressions.

 

[UntilThen]

Hi guys.

I own a Darkvoice 336se and was thinking about upgrading to the LF 339i.

I know that the LF339 is an abyss of difference for Darkvoice when paired with low impedance headphones.

My question is regarding pairing with headphones with more than 300ohms.

Is the difference so big that it's worth the price difference?

The others here have replied and I agree 100% as I used to own the DV336se and now LF339 three times. It's hard to quantify but LF339 being twice as good as DV336se is about correct and in the audio world twice as much is a very big deal. Better in terms of resolution, control, bass weight, power and absolute sonic delight. I have a lot of tube amps which are more expensive but I still hold LF339i in that regard. Put aside any bias that it's made in China and the cheap price and it's a very lovely sounding unit. Most people loath to admit that publicly but I will say it from my own experience. YMMV.

 

[UntilThen]

SO nice! I was looking the TU 8200R up lately! Can you described what you prefer over the 339 and with which cans?

Side by side with LF339i, the Elekit is very comparable but ultimately wins in depth and height of soundstage. I didn't know LF339i is lacking in those until I hear the TU-8200 with Psvane 12au7 and Gold Lion KT88. It's holographic and 3D in the truest sense of those terms. Elekit is also better in resolution and details. Notes stood out a lot more clearly. It's airier. LF339i is darker and warmer. Now I did not notice that of LF339i until I hear the Elekit TU-8200. Now with KT77 tubes, dynamics have just gone up another notch.

Having said that, I'm not getting rid of LF339i because when I listen to them side by side with LCD-3f, LCD-X, He1000se and HD650, I can see myself loving both but the TU-8200 wins here for me and I've just started using 3 power tubes. More to come...

Both are very powerful... the Elekit 8200 more so. Understandably so because 8200 is 4w in triode mode, 8w in Ultralinear mode and 8.2w in Pentode mode. It's also supremely quiet and feels just lukewarm on the chassis after hours of operation. Not HOT like the LF339i.

With your skills, upgrading and putting together the Elekit 8200 is much easier than upgrading LF339i. Get it and see for yourself.

 

[MJS242]

Just a reminder to those with the 6C5/6J5/L63 version as a lot of information gets buried in this thread, but with an adapter you can run 6SN7's since a 6SN7 is two 6C5/6J5's

 

[UntilThen]

I like the LF339i as it is with 6sj7 and it's variants but 6J5 and 6sn7 sure sound interesting. I only you can have both easily. In fact I'm not ready to give up TS 6sj7gt mesh plates, RCA 5693 and EF86, 80. Those pentodes as strapped triodes sound great too.

 

[MJS242]

I like the LF339i as it is with 6sj7 and it's variants but 6J5 and 6sn7 sure sound interesting. I only you can have both easily. In fact I'm not ready to give up TS 6sj7gt mesh plates, RCA 5693 and EF86, 80. Those pentodes as strapped triodes sound great too.

I don't think converting 6SJ7 to 6J5 is terribly difficult. Maybe @xmdkq or @telecaster can enlighten us with a diagram of sorts?

 

[UntilThen]

I don't think converting 6SJ7 to 6J5 is terribly difficult. Maybe @xmdkq or @telecaster can enlighten us with a diagram of sorts?

Yeah but I don't want to change the amp from 6sj7 to 6j5. Maybe use an adapter to use 6j5 if that is possible. The reason being I like all my drivers that I currently use on the 6sj7 socket.

 

[UntilThen]

Just a reminder to those with the 6C5/6J5/L63 version as a lot of information gets buried in this thread, but with an adapter you can run 6SN7's since a 6SN7 is two 6C5/6J5's

Do you still own the LF339? The last couple of days, I've been singing the praise of Elekit 8200 but the LF339i is right up there in it's own way. I just can't get enough of Figaro lovely warmth, bass weight and sparkly top end.

A friend who is not familiar with tube amps but very familiar with high end ss amps, came over and when he had listened to the He1000se out of LF399i, he wanted to buy my unit straight away.

I will not sell this new LF339i in black. It will stay with me forever, no matter what other tube amps I get. That's how much I love the tone and the looks.