Elekit TU-8500 Preamp
 

Been trying to figure out what to do about a preamp for my vintage Kenwood L-07MII monoblocks that have just been refurbished. Was anxious to go with tubes and wanted a remote. But, have decided I can live without the remote and ordered an Elekit TU-8500 preamp kit. I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron and I'll order a set (4) of Clarity CMR coupling caps as an upgrade. If nothing else, will keep me out of the bars on those miserable winter nights.
https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/...amplifier-kit/

Sounds like a fun project. I love building stuff.

Very cool. I've been curious about that pre-kit. Looking forward to your impressions post build and burn-in :-)

Will be going 'slow & easy' on the build (prefer not to do things twice). Have gone with the opamp upgrade for the phono and know I want a coupling-cap upgrade, but am not sure if I want to go with the offered Mundorf or go with Clarity CMR, which I've been very pleased with in the past. Have until the 1st week in Dec to make up my mind.

EDIT: Decided to go with the Mundorf Supreme upgrade coupling caps offered with the kit for now. The design is such that access to the four (4) caps is good, so can not only roll some tubes can roll caps, as well. Along with the tubes (RCA clear-tops) it ships with, I have some JAN Philips and other RCAs to roll. Should ship today or tomorrow.

Build it once, Build it right. Like a true Engineer. ;)

Cool! I'm envious, would love to have a project like that to do over the holiday season.

Please keep us updated as you go if its not too much work.

Will try to remember pic's along the way. Will post if I do.

EDIT: Will be handing this off to a friend who is consummate DIY'er. He does top-shelf work and wants to listen to one before possibly purchasing. I'm traveling (snow-birding it) until the end of April, so works out well for both of us. He will be starting a thread, with pic's, on the DIY forum and I'll post a link when he does.

Pic's from start to finish. Will take a while to get broken-in since am traveling for the holidays. Especially the Mundorf caps, which typically take 200-300 hours to sound their best.

Looks nice Glenn, your friend does great work. Look forward to the review.

He reports good things thus far. Likes the phono-stage for the difference between it and his Pass phono-stage. Reports both to be very quiet.