See what it’s like to build the Elekit TU-8600S, 300B, Single-Ended Tube Amplifier kit! I’ll show you what’s inside and help you decide if the kit’s right for you.
Great job with the build. I built one of these about a yr or so ago, and as you mentioned, ya gotta know how to solder well to do it. Paying close attention to the directions is paramount. Otherwise, you’ll be chasing some silly problem(s), Luckily the end result is a fantastic sounding amplifier, but it obviously mates much better to higher sensitivity speakers and a preamp can be advantageous for extra gain as well. Again, great job, man from one Bostonian to another.
I just ordered the TU-8600S version with Lundahl output transformers. : ) I haven't even received it yet and I'm already having dreams where the first time I power it up all the tubes explode and the amp bursts into flames.. I've worked with and built electronics kits for 50 years but this one is going to be intimidating. This is the most expensive kit project I've ever done. I'll be taking my time on this build the last thing I want to do is have it go up in smoke. Thanks for the build video!
@@thebostonaudiophile Hi. Thanks for the reply. I am 95% finished building the amplifier. I upgraded the resistors with Dale military spec 1% resistors and the coupling capacitors to Jensen 0.1 uf Copper Foil Paper-in-oil Silver lead Copper Case capcitors. I used German WBT silver solder for all the solder points. All the tubes I ordered are Electro-Harmonix. For the 300B's I got the balanced "Duet" pair. The 12AU7's are matching high gain tubes with low noise & Microphonics with balanced Triodes. All the tubes are gold pin tubes. I am waiting for the upgraded 9 pin porcelain tube sockets I ordered and the tubes to arrive so I can finish the build. I am looking forward with a bit of trepidation to the first time I hit the power switch.. : ) I only wanted to build this once so I did all the upgrades I could think of now. I will let you know how it goes.. Thanks!
@@mojoneko8303 Let me know how it goes. As long as your solder joins are good and diodes, electrolytic capacitors, etc are properly oriented, you should be okay. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing a amp that's lovingly designed and then you lovingly built. Just to let you know, you weren't boring while putting it together. I find it almost therapeutic... Also... man, you sounded like me when i had pneumonia at the beginning of 2020 (not ou caused my what's raging out there now, just flu caused), and that almost weakened me enough to make death a possibility. Hope you are feeling better now.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your well wishes! My problem is my retinas. After my eye surgery I had to remain essentially still, face down, for four weeks, so I lost a lot of strength. I'm feeling stronger now, though my vision is impaired.
Hope you're feeling better now :) Nice to have a project like this to keep you occupied and to supply you with some soothing music. Cheers and take care!
Mixed reviews on diyAudio...TU-8900 is designed based on 12AU7 and 12BH7 only and some are trying E80CC / 6085 (with resistor changes). This would be a warranty void when something blows out. Some have both 8600S and 8900 and the 8600S sounds more natural.
Hi. Thanks for the video. Could you perhaps post a short video on soldering techniques and tips for newbies? I have this amp on order and am considering having it built by the distributer, but also thinking about doing it myself. But I have very little experience soldering (has been years, and I never did it in an audio setting).
Soldering isn’t hard to learn, but I suggest starting with something really simple and inexpensive, maybe something like this? www.amazon.com/Elenco-Blinker-Soldering-SOLDERING-REQUIRED/dp/B000IXMOHG/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=1U5CU159S6F4N&keywords=toy+robot+kit+soldering&qid=1645236313&sprefix=toy+robot+kit+soldering%2Caps%2C56&sr=8-5 I don’t know about this kit, per say, but you get the idea. I think I’ll make a how to solder video soon.
Hi. Curious to hear what you think of this amp now that it's built. How's it compare to the First Watt F7? How does it sound through the Cornwalls? Does it need a powered subwoofer to accompany it??
@@newtronix Transformers should be in steel boxes, aluminum does nothing to block magnetic fields. Yes, ideally all the transformers (power and output) would be separated, but this way is very common.
Meanwhile some are building a SET with the least number of components possible ...............every component strips " something " of the music ........the lesser components lezt you hear what a choosen componenr realy does ........complex systems try to measure good rather than playing music .
Great job with the build. I built one of these about a yr or so ago, and as you mentioned, ya gotta know how to solder well to do it. Paying close attention to the directions is paramount. Otherwise, you’ll be chasing some silly problem(s), Luckily the end result is a fantastic sounding amplifier, but it obviously mates much better to higher sensitivity speakers and a preamp can be advantageous for extra gain as well. Again, great job, man from one Bostonian to another.
I just ordered the TU-8600S version with Lundahl output transformers. :
) I haven't even received it yet and I'm already having dreams where
the first time I power it up all the tubes explode and the amp bursts
into flames.. I've worked with and built electronics kits for 50 years
but this one is going to be intimidating. This is the most expensive
kit project I've ever done. I'll be taking my time on this build the
last thing I want to do is have it go up in smoke. Thanks for the
build video!
Take your time, double check all your solder joints and you should be fine. Good luck!
@@thebostonaudiophile Hi. Thanks for the reply. I am 95% finished building the amplifier. I upgraded the resistors with Dale military spec 1% resistors and the coupling capacitors to Jensen 0.1 uf Copper Foil Paper-in-oil Silver lead Copper Case capcitors. I used German WBT silver solder for all the solder points. All the tubes I ordered are Electro-Harmonix. For the 300B's I got the balanced "Duet" pair. The 12AU7's are matching high gain tubes with low noise & Microphonics with balanced Triodes. All the tubes are gold pin tubes.
I am waiting for the upgraded 9 pin porcelain tube sockets I ordered and the tubes to arrive so I can finish the build. I am looking forward with a bit of trepidation to the first time I hit the power switch.. : ) I only wanted to build this once so I did all the upgrades I could think of now. I will let you know how it goes.. Thanks!
@@mojoneko8303 Let me know how it goes. As long as your solder joins are good and diodes, electrolytic capacitors, etc are properly oriented, you should be okay. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing a amp that's lovingly designed and then you lovingly built. Just to let you know, you weren't boring while putting it together. I find it almost therapeutic...
Also... man, you sounded like me when i had pneumonia at the beginning of 2020 (not ou caused my what's raging out there now, just flu caused), and that almost weakened me enough to make death a possibility. Hope you are feeling better now.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your well wishes! My problem is my retinas. After my eye surgery I had to remain essentially still, face down, for four weeks, so I lost a lot of strength. I'm feeling stronger now, though my vision is impaired.
Hope you're feeling better now :) Nice to have a project like this to keep you occupied and to supply you with some soothing music. Cheers and take care!
Thank you. I'm getting stronger and I have more eye surgery scheduled in a couple months that may help me to see better.
@@thebostonaudiophile Alright, my thoughts and love to you and your family
I hope your retinas heal well. Eyes problems are no fun.
Hey everyone / wear safety glasses when appropriate.
Beautiful work on the amplifier!
Thanks Robert. 🙏 It’s been a long slog. I’ve got another surgery scheduled in April and I have my fingers crossed.
Your can twist those OPT wire harnesses for a little bit cleaner sound. Just unplug them from the board and twist them, then plug back in.
Great suggestion! I may give it a go!
Anxious to hear your thoughts on the sound, we'll paired to those Cornwalls!
See my new video for my listening impressions.
@@thebostonaudiophile Thanks David, I watched and enjoyed the thoughts this morning!
I was going to get this but the funds have let me down, but today I found out about a new Elekit [TU-8900E] which lets you use 300B OR 2A3 !!
Mixed reviews on diyAudio...TU-8900 is designed based on 12AU7 and 12BH7 only and some are trying E80CC / 6085 (with resistor changes). This would be a warranty void when something blows out. Some have both 8600S and 8900 and the 8600S sounds more natural.
Hi. Thanks for the video. Could you perhaps post a short video on soldering techniques and tips for newbies? I have this amp on order and am considering having it built by the distributer, but also thinking about doing it myself. But I have very little experience soldering (has been years, and I never did it in an audio setting).
Thanks for your suggestion. I’ll try to do one pretty soon.
Very helpful video, thank you!!
Cool, great job !
Thanks 🙏
I am really tempted to take the plunge into tubes with this unit. Having no soldering experience, I am not sure if I dare.
Soldering isn’t hard to learn, but I suggest starting with something really simple and inexpensive, maybe something like this? www.amazon.com/Elenco-Blinker-Soldering-SOLDERING-REQUIRED/dp/B000IXMOHG/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=1U5CU159S6F4N&keywords=toy+robot+kit+soldering&qid=1645236313&sprefix=toy+robot+kit+soldering%2Caps%2C56&sr=8-5
I don’t know about this kit, per say, but you get the idea. I think I’ll make a how to solder video soon.
Hi. Curious to hear what you think of this amp now that it's built. How's it compare to the First Watt F7? How does it sound through the Cornwalls? Does it need a powered subwoofer to accompany it??
I posted a review about a week ago. It’s good! Imo, no sub is necessary with the C4’s.
Power transformer right next the the output transformers on a steel chassis though?
@@newtronix Transformers should be in steel boxes, aluminum does nothing to block magnetic fields.
Yes, ideally all the transformers (power and output) would be separated, but this way is very common.
do you have a sample sound?
When is the new video?
Meanwhile some are building a SET with the least number of components possible ...............every component strips " something " of the music ........the lesser components lezt you hear what a choosen componenr realy does ........complex systems try to measure good rather than playing music .
The signal path IS very simple.