Hi, Victor.
The TU-8850 is really attractive if i drive it by KT-88 or above. It terms of ouput, the TU-8200R seems better than this big brother if i use 6L6 or EL34. Certainly, i don't know how the sound difference by using same tubes.
May i have your comments before i make my decision? Thanks
The TU-8850 is really attractive if i drive it by KT-88 or above. It terms of ouput, the TU-8200R seems better than this big brother if i use 6L6 or EL34. Certainly, i don't know how the sound difference by using same tubes.
May i have your comments before i make my decision? Thanks
@vkung
Any reason why you prefer the KT-170's over the KT-120's? I have a pure class "A" tube amp that runs KT-120's at around 64mV on each of the 2 tubes on my mono block tube amps. I also did some tube rolling for the driver tubes and settled on some vintage Tung-Sol Jan-CTL-12SL7GT. It sounds terrific! Can you tell me what driver tubes you prefer with the KT170's? Thanks!
Any reason why you prefer the KT-170's over the KT-120's? I have a pure class "A" tube amp that runs KT-120's at around 64mV on each of the 2 tubes on my mono block tube amps. I also did some tube rolling for the driver tubes and settled on some vintage Tung-Sol Jan-CTL-12SL7GT. It sounds terrific! Can you tell me what driver tubes you prefer with the KT170's? Thanks!
I'm running the KT170s in my new 8850. The main difference I hear is the bass. It is definitely more pronounced with the 170s. I usually add a little bass with a Schiit Lokius but with the 170s I can bypass. IMHO (which means nothing I understand) the KT88 is my least favorite. I'd rather run an EL34. I've got KT150s in another amp and they sound quite good as well. I haven't tried them in the 8850, but I probably will at some point. Right now I'm just enjoying the KT170s. BTW, I'm also running EH ECC82s. They seem to work well in this amp.
I'm actually driving a pair of highly modified Pioneer HPM-100 speakers from about 1977. Their sensitivity is 92.5dB so they're not too hard to drive. They're known for being on the bright side so I've modified the crossovers to accommodate and the mid and tweets have been swapped for units from the HPM-900. As for the TU8850, I didn't upgrade the resistors but I did use Audionote Copper coupling caps. I plan to get the Lundahl xformers when they're available. I've used them on other builds and they do make a difference. If you have the cash and are willing to wait I also recommend the Takman resistor upgrade. I don't know if you can hear the difference, but I think it's a worthwhile investment. I just didn't have the patience to wait.
Oh and BTW, I failed to mention I've paired the 8850 with a TU8500 preamp. It's a great combination. The TU8500 is a fabulous unit and a bargain. Wish it had a remote though. Someone smarter than me should figure out how to do that.
Oh and BTW, I failed to mention I've paired the 8850 with a TU8500 preamp. It's a great combination. The TU8500 is a fabulous unit and a bargain. Wish it had a remote though. Someone smarter than me should figure out how to do that.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I used Takman on the TU-8600, but used the stock resistors on the TU-8850. I'm going to use Miflex caps to start with but plan to try others as well. I'm using the Audionote Copper on the TU-8600 as well.
I realized I'm going to have to get creative with the mounting of the Miflex caps as they are a little bit too large for the provided space.
I saw someone who mounted big Duelund silver caps in their TU-8900 by taping them to the interior of the chassis under the PCB and it seemed to work. Hoping to find something that makes swapping capacitors a little easier than that.
Progress so far on Unit 1:
I realized I'm going to have to get creative with the mounting of the Miflex caps as they are a little bit too large for the provided space.
I saw someone who mounted big Duelund silver caps in their TU-8900 by taping them to the interior of the chassis under the PCB and it seemed to work. Hoping to find something that makes swapping capacitors a little easier than that.
Progress so far on Unit 1:
Got mine finished today! Sounding great so far. Running it in with some cheap EHX EL34 (in UL) and Sylvania 12AU7. Very different sound compared to the TU-8600 (obviously). Feels like there is much more power on tap and really excels with faster complex rock, punk, classical, etc. Not getting the super holographic soundstage that I get with the 8600 but to be expected and it's super early in the run in process. Overall I am very happy with the sound so far. Looking forward to tube rolling.
Got the Miflex caps in. Mounted them to the bottom of the chassis with zip ties and adhesive standoffs. The grid side lead on left channel was almost too short but I made it work. Attaching photos in case it is helpful to anyone.
Got the Miflex caps in. Mounted them to the bottom of the chassis with zip ties and adhesive standoffs. The grid side lead on left channel was almost too short but I made it work. Attaching photos in case it is helpful to anyone.