Valve Amp Round Up
So, after my last post I found myself increasingly attracted to the idea of a tube (or valve) amp home stereo system. The magic of tubes is a treat to the ears, and to bring that quality into day to day listening is very attractive to me (if a bit out of reach financially). I left my last post stating that I would do some research. Well I have, and I’m back…after less than 24 hours. Does that say something about my interest?
So, just for kicks I decided to do a roundup of of the Fatman, the Roth, and a few other related devices. Here they are:
The Fatman iTube Valve Dock
Things I like : It’s a tube amp, and it looks sweet. I like the mirror finish on all the chrome. The price point is among the best for a product like this. It’s got a built in transformer, so you know there’s nothing extra goin on, you just plug in a regular cord to the wall (The transformer is the big black box on the unit). Also, you can buy it in many permutations. A “Carbon” model comes in a piano black finish, and you can get the dock and the amp as a single unit in both chrome and black finishes. You can get any of the above shipped with or without speakers, and there are much more powerful verions if you want to go crazy that only get sweeter. It’s easily the model with the most variety available. Plus, it’s just got this filthy arrogance about it that screams audiophile, and also “Don’t touch me, I’m expensive”.
Things I don’t like: Well, it’s kinda big, you almost need a dedicated shelf or table for it to sit on, and the tubes look relatively small compared to the overall size of the unit. Also, there is no input switching, which means there isn’t an easy way (I believe) to switch between your iPod and an auxilliary input, like a CD player. I’m pretty sure you have to disconnect your iPod from the dock to engage the auxilliary input. The remote is also reportedly kinda chinsy.
Power: The Vavle Dock has 13 watts per channel (Left or Right). Remember they are tube watts, and just like 15 tube watts is more powerful in a guitar amp than 15 solid state watts, this little system cold crank out some nice juice.
The Roth MC4 Cocoon
Things I like: It’s small, so it could sit on a desktop and still look cool. Since I don’t have my own living room this is more my size right now. Also, the smaller size also shows off the tubes a bit more, makes them seem a bit more in your face. Not as subtle as the Fatman, but since when do we live in a culture of subtlety? Speaking of subtlety..it’s also got an extra tube compared to the fatman crammed into a fraction of the space. It’s got source switching which means you can switch easily and quickly between source inputs (iPod and CD). The plexiglass sheild is also cool, and protects you from burning your fingers if someone happens to be silly enough to try sticking them in. It’s also around the same price as the Fatman.
Things I don’t like: Even though I know the metal on the bass is anodized aluminium, it still looks cheap compared to the Fatman. And if an amp costs 400- 500 bucks without speakers or any other player, you want people to know it’s expensive. Where the Fatman is elegant, I can’t helping thinking this thing looks more like a creepy crawlers goo factory your three year old stuck your iPod into. I want someone to KNOW it’s something they shouldn’t be touching, as opposed to something they think they can play with. I also wonder if the heat of the tubes would slowly fog the plexi sheild over time due to the high heat. Additionally, the transformer is external, so you’re pretty much stuck with a huge wall wart you have to try and hide somewhere.
Power: Also 13 watts per channel, so this could kick enough but for pretty much any houshold environment.
The Shanling MC30 iPod Music Center
Things I like: Everything in one unit!! One of the gripes I have with the other units is the necessity of an iPod or other external CD/record player. Let’s be honest, the iPod isn’t a HIFI device. Even if you store totally uncompressed audio in it the interior contacts and audio connections aren’t quite “audiophile” grade. This leaves you to find a separate high quality CD player if you are nuts about your audio quality. This unit has all in one, iPod dock, high quality CD player, and radio, with a built in transformer (silver blocks behind the iPod). Very Handy. The less connections you have to make the better your audio will sound and with this unit you only have to make one; plug it into the wall! Also, it comes with 4 tubes! The design is very slick. The controls are well hidden, with the tops of the two front legs are actually knobs controlling volume and input source.
Things I don’t like: The price. This at least twice as expensive as the other items on the block. The power, at only 3 watts per channel its substantially less powerful than the other units. The vibe. It kinda looks like a space ship. The blue LED lighting just doesnt scream of that vintage analog vibe that the others do. Plus, the CD seems to be the focus of attention rather than the tubes! Why??? The tubes are so glorious! Also, the styling reminds me a little too much of my dad’s old brushed aluminum reciever trying to be hip. To finish the package, the display on the front looks decidedly 80’s. Did they steal the design from one of those stereos I saw at Wal Mart? Jokes…. but seriously?
Power: A pathetic 3 watts per channel.
Tarantella V-Dock
Things I like: It’s got very nice styling, elegant and yet making an impact. It’s black. Not in your face, just quiet class. I can really appreciate a well though out design, and this looks real easy to use. The V-Dock’s size comes somewhere in between a desktop and a table or shelf unit. This means it’s pretty felxible as to where you put it. It’s compact enough to sit on your bedside table and still leave room, yet beefy enough to let you know something serious is going on. It has some of the nicest looking speakers to ship with these units, and apparently they sound OK too, although not as nice as many speakers out there considered as “reference” speakers. Power… this puppy is the mightiest of them all, sliding in at 25 watts per channel. Very nice! The controls are also very simple and well laid out, with the front having power, input select and volume, all using very expensive looking buttons.
Thing’s I don’t like: Availability. This doesn’t have the availability nor the reputation of Fatman or Roth. I also to seem to be scrambling to find any kind of online review from hi fi magazines and blogs, leaving me a bit curious as to how good this unit really is. Another point, if you pay 500 bucks for a dock station, show off those tubes!! These ones are somewhat sunken into the chassis and hidden at the back of the unit. If you got the goods show em off! Overall, although this unit is slick, it still seems to me like it would eventually fade into the woodwork of other “normal” home stereo’s and docking stations. While being simple can often have a big impact, at the end of the day I just don’t think this one stands out enough from the crowd.
Power: 25 watts per channel. The most powerful of the bunch!!
And…. the Verdict???
The TL Fatman iTube Valve Dock
This was my first find, and after all is said and done it’s still my favourite. I was initially attracted to the Roth because of it’s compact size and extra flash, however, it’s cheapish and toylike appearance eventually turned me off. I like the idea of the Shanling, yet they just failed to pull it together for me design wise. Also, what kind of air am I going to be able to push with 3 watts? And the Tarantella never really stood out enough to sway me.
For whatever reason, I am always called back to the elegance of the Fatman. It doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not, and presents what it is in a slick package. The mirror finish on the chrome is definitely hands off, and the tubes sticking out on their own make a subtle statement. Serious. It comes from TL Audio, a well established and recognized pro audio company. Think about it, a company has to be confident in order to pull off putting a picture of a fat man in sunglases on the front of one of their HI FI stereo. The Fatman is fun looking and honest, while at the same time being on a higher level than the others visually and to some degree in quality. It scores the highest for sound quality out of the bunch on various high profile review sites online, and isn’t that what it’s all about? If something looks the best, and sounds the best, and isn’t any more expensive than the other options… what decision is there left to make? While I may not exactly have the space for one, the dock and the amp are separable which is very cool and could accomodate many different placements.
None of these units could be considered truly audiophile, but they are as close as we will get to saying “audiophile” and “iPod” in the same sentence.
So the Fatman will stay on my “Ultimate Wish List”. For now it will remain a pipe dream, but a boy is allowed to dream right?? That’s just me though.. if you’re an audio person, or even if you’re not and you just think they look cool, I’d love to hear you chime in on your personal fave!
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