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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Elekit TU-873LE II Amplifier (Tube) by zettelsm

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REVIEW: Elekit TU-873LE II Amplifier (Tube)

74.47.17.150


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Model: TU-873LE II
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $890
Description: 300B integrated amplifier
Manufacturer URL: Elekit
Model Picture: View

Review by zettelsm on January 24, 2009 at 18:39:51
IP Address: 74.47.17.150
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for the TU-873LE II


This is a brief review of the Elekit TU-873LE II 300B integrated amplifier kit. Purchased from VK Music, the North American distributor for Elekit. The amplifier comes as a parts kit, including all parts and hardware necessary to fully complete the project other than solder and several simple hand tools (side cutters, wire stripper, medium phillips screwdriver, etc).

The instructions are very complete, including checkoff lists, line drawings, and a logical progression for assembly. Victor Kung, the importer also provides english translation of key points, color codes, and important cautions along the way. The component outlines and designations are silk-screened on the high-quality fiberglass epoxy circuit board. Nice touches are an extremely heavy R-core power transformer and OS-CON electrolytic capacitors. Coupling capacitors are polypropylene film type.

Assembly was straightforward and without incident. From unpacking to first power-on testing took me approximately 12 hours. As with any SET amplifier, it is important to always have a load connected across the speaker terminals when powering on the amplifier.
href="http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/?action=view¤t=
1.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/1.jpg" border="0"
alt="Literature and instructions">

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2.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/2.jpg" border="0"
alt="Unpacking, everything neatly packaged and protected.">



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4.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/4.jpg" border="0"
alt="High quality FRP circuit board">


href="http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/?action=view¤t=
6.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/6.jpg" border="0"
alt="Main Board with resistors">


href="http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/?action=view¤t=
7.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/7.jpg" border="0"
alt="Resistors all soldered">


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9.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/9.jpg" border="0"
alt="Fully populated main board.">


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8.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/8.jpg" border="0"
alt="Ceramic sockets and source/tape selector switches">


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10.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/10.jpg" border="0"
alt="R-core Power Transformer">


href="http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/?action=view¤t=
11.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/11.jpg" border="0"
alt="Main circuit card with connections soldered to output transformer">


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12.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/12.jpg" border="0"
alt="Ready for first power up testing">


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13.jpg" target="_blank"> src="http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/soha821/13.jpg" border="0"
alt="Success! No smoke">




Listening impressions:

This amplifier is a real giant-killer! At first the midrange seemed a bit forward and pinched and the highs just a touch rolled off; however, after about ten hours of break-in time the tubes and parts are starting to settle in and the sound is really beginning to bloom. Right away I can say I was surprised by what a bass wallop the little amp packs -- very deep and tuneful. The highs have opened up and the midrange is fleshed out nicely, with gobs of that 300B texture and harmonic richness in evidence.

The Elekit designers have really done their homework with this design. This is not old-school 300B-sound rolled off at the frequency extremes and covered in syrup in-between, but rather is very extended and very transparent. Different CDs, SACDs and LPs all sound different -- this amplifier is not overlaying a sound of it's own on everything. No euphonic haze here. Mediocre source material sounds just like what it is, while well-recorded, well-mastered music sounds sublime.

Another testament to the care and performance of the Elekit design is the absolute quietness of this amplifier. 106 dB/watt/meter efficient horns are a ruthless test of any electronics' noise floor. The TU-873LEII is absolutely dead quiet -- no hum, tube-rush, or noise whatsoever, even with one's ear held up to the horn and the gain wide open. This is truly phenomenal noise performance for any design, let alone a tube amplifier. When I first brought it home I had a moment of panic when I didn't hear anything at all after turning it on!

Still, we don't listen to amplifiers for their noise performance, but hopefully to experience the joy of music. The Elekit 300B passes the most important test of all -- it provides involving, emotionally satisfying reproduction of music that far belies it's modest price. It is quite an accomplishment; Elekit is to be congratulated for bringing this amplifier kit to market, and Victor Kung is to be commended for making it available to enthusiasts outside of Japan.


Product Weakness: No preamp out
Product Strengths: Probably the best performance per dollar of any tube amplifier in my experience.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Cyrus Brenneman Cavalier Plus
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Esoteric X-03SE SACD/CD Player, Teres turntable with VPI 12.6 arm, rim drive/SDS, Dynavector XV1S cartridge, Brenneman phono stage
Speakers: Edgarhorns with Edgar Seismic subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects: Anticable/Discovery Essence
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything from Rap to Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 28' x 22' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: spot treatment, live plants, LP racks
Time Period/Length of Audition: 20 hours and counting
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): BPT balanced power supply, Stillpoint component stands
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Elekit TU-873LE II Amplifier (Tube) - zettelsm 18:39:51 01/24/09 ( 6)