[mkrawcz]

Do you have the VK Version?

Yes, upgraded transformers, caps, resistors. Should be interesting to see how the Bottlehead stacks up. Judging from what I’ve read, the Bottlehead is a step up.

[Glady86]

Yes, upgraded transformers, caps, resistors. Should be interesting to see how the Bottlehead stacks up. Judging from what I’ve read, the Bottlehead is a step up.

 I looked at the Bottlehead kit, looks like a fun build. It’s a nice option, maybe try one some day.

[Glady86]

I put the ELEKIT 8900 with RCA 2a3 and Westinghouse 12BH7 back in. Like I thought, it’s very noticeably more dynamic and vivid sounding compared to the Oldchen with upgraded tubes. Psvane Horizon EL34, Sylvania 6SN7 and RCA 5U4G. Being less powerful, I don’t know why it sounds more dynamic.

[Glady86]

Yes, upgraded transformers, caps, resistors. Should be interesting to see how the Bottlehead stacks up. Judging from what I’ve read, the Bottlehead is a step up.

 Just wondering if you tried the ELEKIT with negative feedback disabled? At least in my setup, the sound “came alive” without negative feedback.

[mkrawcz]

Just wondering if you tried the ELEKIT with negative feedback disabled? At least in my setup, the sound “came alive” without negative feedback.

I have. I always find give and take with each setting. With it off the sound is really powerful sounding and visceral. But then you switch back and it sounds a bit more correct. The feedback focuses the soundstage just a bit and adds detail that gives you more of the realism. I end up back at feedback on.

[poseidonsvoice]

I have. I always find give and take with each setting. With it off the sound is really powerful sounding and visceral. But then you switch back and it sounds a bit more correct. The feedback focuses the soundstage just a bit and adds detail that gives you more of the realism. I end up back at feedback on.

Great assessment.

Best,
Anand.

[Glady86]

Put back in the Oldchen, it definitely has more bass punch, the better tubes helped with clarity and detail. I think it’s a good choice for rock music, warmer sounding which helps with brighter sounding recordings. The vocals are excellent with more body. I have about $450.00 invested including upgraded tubes, so it’s a pretty good bargain.

[Glady86]

 Cut off all those wire ties and separated the wiring bundles as best I could without de-soldering them. Lower noise floor, better clarity. Also put in the Psvane Horizon 274b rectifier, brought better dynamics similar to the Elekit. Less warmth but nice balance of warmth and detail.

[Glady86]

It was fun trying out the budget friendly Oldchen. After plenty of listening, it’s not up to the level of the much more expensive Elekit. The Elekit gives me chills all the time (though the Oldchen sounds great) for some reason, I don’t experience the “chills” nearly as often. Without a high pass filter (at 63hz now) the bass and overall sound quality suffers, speakers need to be more efficient than the Oticas.

[mkrawcz]

The Elekit is particularly impressive with a pair of Western Electric 300b tubes.

[Glady86]

The Elekit is particularly impressive with a pair of Western Electric 300b tubes.

I mostly heard good things about those, except for Skunkie Designs. Mostly said overpriced distorted junk, I can’t understand what’s up with that.

[mkrawcz]

I mostly heard good things about those, except for Skunkie Designs. Mostly said overpriced distorted junk, I can’t understand what’s up with that.

I highly question the validity of that. Plus there is more to the story than just the basic distortion measurement she took on one tube. Not only do they sound great, they last 40.000hrs and have a 5 year warranty(as long as you mail the warranty card quickly).

[Glady86]

Maybe those WE tubes need more break in time than what she thinks is needed. Though any tube I tried sounded good without much time at all.

[Tyson]

I have a pair of WE300b's and they are very good but not god-tier like their rep would suggest.  They are great, but ultimately just another flavor among many other flavors.

[mkrawcz]

I have a pair of WE300b's and they are very good but not god-tier like their rep would suggest.  They are great, but ultimately just another flavor among many other flavors.

You get what you pay for. The Takatsuki and Elrog probably beat it but they cost more.

[Glady86]

I have a pair of WE300b's and they are very good but not god-tier like their rep would suggest.  They are great, but ultimately just another flavor among many other flavors.

You need a pair of the vintage originals. There’s just one NOS one on eBay for $7999.00 

[Early B.]

I have a pair of WE300b's and they are very good but not god-tier like their rep would suggest.  They are great, but ultimately just another flavor among many other flavors.

Yep. I tried a pair, and everything they say about the lush midrange is true. The WE300b's weren't quite as lively as I wanted, so I went back to EMLs. I'd love to try the Taks and Elrogs, but there's a point when you realize that what you have is good enough.   

[Tyson]

Early B,
Agreed, I ended up going with a combo of the Linlai Elite 300b's (very, very lively) and the RCA 6SN7's (clear but rich enough round off the edges of the Elites)

[mkrawcz]

Bottlehead Kaiju 300b up and running. Good lord this amp is impressive and it’s not even broken in yet. One thing I have to do for sure is upgrade to the DC heater.

[mkrawcz]

Inside.