New Elekit 5965A/12AU7-based preamp with phono!

[Dissonant]

I've always liked Elekit. Great parts, solid design and amazing documentation for the handy. They've now quietly released a compact tube preamp kit with phonostage. I like the R-core transformer. Elekit have always gotten their R-cores wound in Japan by Kitamura, and the tranny design certainly seems to indicate it is a Kitamura piece this time round too. If Kitamura Kiden does not ring a bell amidst the Hashimotos and Lundahls of our world, one just needs to know they invented R-core transformers. The phonostage seems to be an opamp-based affair though.

I'd personally fork out a bit more to get a Tokyo Denpa Ko-on potentiometer though.

So, any thoughts? It seems Elekit is well-received on AK.

PS: For 220VAC friends, it seems the Hong Kong distributor is selling fully-built versions with warranty for about $580. However, it doesn't seem to get the high-end Amtrans resistors found in the US kit.

 

[Dandy]

Interesting to read about the Elekit kits. Thanks.

 

[Hi-FiGuy]

I just bought and built a TU-8500 with the Amtrans resistors. This is a great pre amp, the phono stage is also very good. The tubes that shipped with the amp were microphonic, so I did some tube rolling and found the Brimar 6060 tubes to sound the best with the lowest noise I have so far tried. The build quality is outstanding and the chassis is extremely solid. I have improved the amp with a couple of mods, I replaced the plastic bushing for the knob shafts with a 1/4" rubber grommet. I put some oil inside the grommet and the shaft play is gone and the feel of the knob much better. When building the kit I used Belton 9 pin tube sockets. I also added IERC heat shields to the tubes. Victor recommended I use a better op-amp and better coupling capacitors so I did. Overall this feels and sounds like a much costlier unit. This has great bang for the buck, I highly recommend!