Apple iPod Essentials   Tracking the Pulse of iPod

If you prefer the smooth sound of tube-amplified music, it's now easier to get this for your iPod with PsiberAudio's new iTube s Amplifiers.

iTube SE15:
"Utilizing a high quality KT88 in single ended mode to produce 15 watts of fluid musical power."


According to Stereophile Magazine,

[Andrew] Conley's story is one familiar to audiophiles. He's been manufacturing amplifiers and other electronic items on a one-off basis for over 10 years now. "It has been more of a custom service that I have been providing for friends and 'friends of friends' over the years," says Conley. "I have been urged numerous times by my satisfied clients to turn the 'hobby' into a business, but never acted on those recommendations."

The amps aren't cheap though at $900 ($100 for iTube PAS1 preamp). You can purchase online from PsiberAudio's website, and two models are available, one for the US market and another for the European/Asian markets (220V; 50Hz).

These days most stereo amplifiers are solid state technology, but many audiophiles believe that tube amplifiers provide a warmer sound and are superior, though you should seek out a pair of speakers which are highly sensitive (95dB or higher). I found a concise discussion of the merits of various types of amplifiers in the ecoustics.com forums, "do the Tube/Valve based amps really sound different than the Solid State Amps".