Read an article (wallofsound.ca) about parts that could be upgraded on the Elekit Tu-8500. I am specifically interested in the Phono Pre-amp part.
I’ll be replacing four film capacitors (C11-C12, C15-C16), and two op-amps (IC1-IC2 2068DD).
I am an audio enthusiast, but I don’t have words like the youtube audio reviewers that I’ve seen. I think this thing sounds great, and after I complete these upgrades and turn it on, I’m sure it will also sound great. I just don’t have enough practice with words, or critical listening, to nail down what kind of changes I experience because of these upgrades. I love to tinker! And rather than buying an Ortofon 2M Bronze for $400, I thought I’d throw $100 and a tinker project at it.
Bill Of Materials
- 2x Mundorf Supreme 0.47µF 600VDC film capacitors $16ea, matched. soniccraft.com
- 2x Mundor MCap EVO Oil 0.47µF 450VDC film capacitor $9ea. soniccraft.com
- 2x Texas Instruments OPA2227P Operational Amplifier/op-amps, $10ea. mouser.com
(To type a “mu” google “ascii code mu” and you’ll find #230. Hold down alt, then hit 2-3-0, let up alt, boom: mu µ)
First thing you’re going to do is take apart the pre-amp. I followed the directions backwards, leaving out a few steps. All you need to do is get the board out of the chassis. Using a solder wick, or something similar, remove the solder from the underside of the capacitors. Give them a wiggle and they should fall out.
I was happy to find Elekit had included larger holes for this upgrade right into the board: so thoughtful. Even these capacitors I was using are larger than the bigger holes. Bend them about a bit and stick ’em in there. I added some shrink wrap to the exposed leads, but it probably isn’t necessary. The white EVO Oil caps fit in perfectly no fuss no muss.
Upgrade is complete, plugged back in, works great. I feel like it has a larger dynamic range? I was hearing some thumps on this album that I don’t think I’d ever heard before. Getting up close to the speaker, nothing was lost in the high end either. So?: success.
