Audiophile tube-based amp for iPods?

[jlewin]

Tube gurus....

A German company has released an audiophile, tube-based amp for iPods:
http://www.goldster-audio.com/concertino/product.en.html

What do you think - is this a case of "strap a tube on it" and make some money?

Maybe Eric should try putting an iPod through an Agonizer and see who wins....
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When I'm not in the forum, I'm listening to Electronic music, especially techno music.

[metasonix]

1) it's a bit costly, even tho it includes speakers

2) don't really agree with using 6AS7s in an SE amplifier--high distortion (intentional I guess)....

3) it got far more publicity than its sales will EVER amount to. Most
iPod buyers seem more in the vein of head-fi.org types, meaning cheap....

[zachary vex]

that thing is huge. my hi-fi tube amp for iPods is much better-sized for the application... it's the same size as an iPod, but 3 inches high.







bob moog holding it (and my apprentice, ashley):



i hope to have it in production some time in June. 8^)

hi eric!
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[metasonix]

Hi Zachary! I can indeed attest to your little amp being attractive, tiny, and good sounding. Hope you sell a ton.

Zack, (I can call you Zack, I hope?) you need to send press releases to all the Mac news and rumor websites--it'll get you loads of press. And remember to send press releases to the gadget-news sites--like boingboing.org, engadget.com and gizmodo.com. Those digital nerds love to see stuff like tube amps for iPods. Hell, whenever someone comes out with a padded sleeve for iPods with rhinestones on it, they run the press release....

[zachary vex]

sure, call me zack. i'll respond to "hey dude" as well. 8^)

thanks for all of the pointers. i'll keep them all in mind.
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[jlewin]

These are very cool - beautiful design. Do you have more info on these up yet?

Why do people need a dedicated iPod amp? Does it have any unique amplification requirements?
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When I'm not in the forum, I'm listening to Electronic music, especially techno music.

[zachary vex]

as i stated, i expect to have them in production by June.

no special requirements other than being the smallest tube stereo hi-fi amp in the known universe. 8^)
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[pzlon]

sounds great, but would an "audiophile" be listening to compressed audio? I know the iPod allows for uncompressed, but how many use it? and then are the D/A's up to the task? This all cute and cool like the iPod, but the quality?

[zachary vex]

i really don't know what audiophiles will think of the iMP amp. i hope that, like most people, they think it's remarkably little and cute. i'm just trying to make the world's smallest stereo tube amp, not win over every weirdo on the planet. 8^)
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[zachary vex]