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Advice regarding sound quality of Elekit TU-8200 versus ST70 from Hifi4Tubes

V

Vlad Yuar

New Member
Hello,

As the title states, I wish to know which amplifier sounds better and why. I realise the Elekit is 8WPC while the ST70 is 40 however, either will work.


Thank you in advance,
 
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To get the best sound from your system the components need to match. With speakers having an impedance requirement and also a power requirement. A speaker that can use an 8 watt amp must be "easy to drive" or the sound can be unsatisfying. If it is a high efficiency or high sensitivity type then you can use a higher power amp with no problem. So you need to know the speaker specs.
 
Back in January, I built an Elekit TU-8200 and then installed the DX caps. While I don't have a VTA ST70, I do have its bigger brother, the VTA ST120 I built about 4 years ago I played some with power tubes for the TU-8200 and settled on some Shuguang Black Treasure KT88's. The ST120 has GL Reissue KT88's. I like both amps very much and in my listening room and with my Polk SRS SDA 2.3 speakers, I find the sound quality of both to be very equivalent. The TU-8200 is operating in SEUL mode. One caveat is that my ears are 71 years old. Better ears might hear a difference.
 
primosounds said:
To get the best sound from your system the components need to match. With speakers having an impedance requirement and also a power requirement. A speaker that can use an 8 watt amp must be "easy to drive" or the sound can be unsatisfying. If it is a high efficiency or high sensitivity type then you can use a higher power amp with no problem. So you need to know the speaker specs.
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I have no exact specifications, however, I plan on building a Fostex horn with a corresponding impedance and a maximum power rating of ~20 watts.
 
I think that if you have speakers in need of a little extra "punch" to bring out their best, then a SE amp may not be the way to go. However, with an efficient speaker like the Fostex in a horn cabinet, I think you'll find the Elekit to be very nice for you. And being an integrated, it can save you some money and circuit path/complexity (which can be an additional boost in sound quality, if your source doesn't already have volume control).
 
Indeed, the TU-8200 has a lot going for it. You can operate it in triode, ultralinear, or pentode mode. It has two RCA inputs. You can even change the on/off led color. You can also add a USB DAC module. If you pursue this option, you can get the kit for a good price from Japan from the auction site. This kit comes with instructions in Japanese, but you can download English instructions from the tubedepot website. It takes maybe 10 hours to assemble. With those efficient horns, you will be set to go at maybe 2/3rds the price of the VTA ST70 kit. It even comes with tubes to get you started. The 6L6GC EH tubes are pretty good and the Chinese 12AU7's are adequate till you get something like RCA clear-tops.
 
eickmewg said:
Indeed, the TU-8200 has a lot going for it. You can operate it in triode, ultralinear, or pentode mode. It has two RCA inputs. You can even change the on/off led color. You can also add a USB DAC module. If you pursue this option, you can get the kit for a good price from Japan from the auction site. This kit comes with instructions in Japanese, but you can download English instructions from the tubedepot website. It takes maybe 10 hours to assemble. With those efficient horns, you will be set to go at maybe 2/3rds the price of the VTA ST70 kit. It even comes with tubes to get you started. The 6L6GC EH tubes are pretty good and the Chinese 12AU7's are adequate till you get something like RCA clear-tops.
Click to expand...
I agree, the elekit is cheaper and will provide adequate power. My only concern is if the ST70 provides better sound quality to make it worth the price increase.
 
eickmewg said:
Back in January, I built an Elekit TU-8200 and then installed the DX caps. While I don't have a VTA ST70, I do have its bigger brother, the VTA ST120 I built about 4 years ago I played some with power tubes for the TU-8200 and settled on some Shuguang Black Treasure KT88's. The ST120 has GL Reissue KT88's. I like both amps very much and in my listening room and with my Polk SRS SDA 2.3 speakers, I find the sound quality of both to be very equivalent. The TU-8200 is operating in SEUL mode. One caveat is that my ears are 71 years old. Better ears might hear a difference.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply!
 
I"m partial to the VTA ST-70. Just buy your own tubes. Forget everything else and use Gold Lion KT-66's and a decent set of 12AU7 and you're ready to Rock.
 
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