Why Are Vacuum Tube Stereos Still Around?
In the years following the end of the Cold War, the traditional vacuum tube became common in high-end audio products. With the U.S. firmly entrenched in the production of digital solid-state devices, countries that were previously behind the digital curve still had large tube manufacturing facilities. Those countries began producing and exporting vacuum tubes to the West. As a result, American manufacturers such as Audio Research, Cary Audio, ECP Audio, Glow Audio, Granite Audio, Jolida, Manley Labs, McIntosh, Rogue Audio, and others have tapped into this phenomenon.
Vacuum Tube Audio Components
Many true audiophiles have never been completely satisfied with the cold, sterile sound quality and performance of transistors and integrated circuits. That’s why a niche market opened up for vacuum tube audio equipment. While it’s possible to import inexpensive vacuum tube audio products from China, a number of American manufacturers offer affordable vacuum tube audio products, including amplifiers, preamps, and headphone amps. Some support Bluetooth, so you can enjoy the convenience of direct wireless Bluetooth streaming and that warm vacuum tube sound.
Home Theater Applications
The vacuum tube also made its way into the home theater environment with products such as the Jolida Fusion Vacuum Tube CD Transport, the OPPO BDP-105 Vacuum Tube Modified Blu-ray Disc player, and the Decware Ultra multi-channel preamp. By adding a multi-channel hybrid vacuum tube power amplifier (an amplifier that combines both vacuum tubes and solid-state design) such as the Butler Audio Model 5150, you can have a vacuum tube-based home theater audio system.
Vacuum Tubes in Your Ear and on the Road
In addition to home audio and home theater products, companies such as Apex Audio, Moon Audio, and Vincent Audio make vacuum tube headphone amplifiers. You can find vacuum tube amplifiers for car stereos from manufacturers such as Butler Audio (Tube Driver) and Milbert Amplifiers.
Are Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Worth the Cost?
Dedicated fans feel that the warm, glowing sound of a good vacuum tube amplifier has no equal. The only way to know if you should take the plunge is to seek out a demonstration of vacuum audio products. If you have a CD player, DVD player, or TV with RCA analog audio outputs, you can connect it to a vacuum preamp or amp and experience the sound of vacuum tube audio. Should you decide to acquire high-end vacuum tube audio gear, one classic that has stood the test of time is the Dynaco Stereo-70 vacuum tube power amp. Originally introduced in the late 1950s, its design changed somewhat through the years and was discontinued for a time. However, the Dynaco Stereo-70 has been revived with a new design and now commands a higher price.
