Full-function TU-8500 preamp (tube line stage + SS phono MM/MC) from Elekit, professionally assembled (WBT solder) by North American Distributor (Victor Kung in British Columbia). This custom version includes Mundorf Mcap supreme coupling caps, Amtrans Carbon resistors and upgraded op-amp (TI2227P). I paid $615 (you'd pay $150 on top of that for professional assembly).
Price: $475.
I’m switching to a headphone-centric system because of closeness of neighbors (see ad for Gallo amp), but I loved the versatility/sound of this preamp. Purchased 10 months ago.
This can be the centerpiece in a more modest system or a specialist in a more expensive setup as your system grows. For instance, I did not use the TU-8500’s phono stage (I have an EAR 834p) but rather as a tube (2 x 12au7) line stage with Red Dragon monoblocks and Chord Qute DAC. The gain is switchable: 3x or 1x. At 1x, the TU-8500 switches in parallel resistors to decrease global feedback -- excellent as a tube buffer!
Stock GE tubes are OK, but the Elekit really responded to experimentation – I ended up with Mullard 4024.
For much more detail, please see review by DoctorJohn Cheaptubeaudio (
http://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.com/2015/03/review-elekit-tu-8500-full-function.html): “Based on my experience with the TU-875, the unit deserves lavish attention. Few things have excited me more recently.”
