Have you ever had the extraordinary pleasure of listening to a quality valve amplifier?

Why do most experts consider valve amplifiers the yardstick by which all others are judged?

Why are some people willing to pay up to $250,000 for a valve amplifier?

Why are valves still the means of amplification most audiophiles choose for their ultimate system?

Most people are stunned by the difference in the richness and naturalness of the sound produced by valves. There is a rightness of sound, the sense of actually being in the room with the singer or musician that is startling when first encountered. This is apparent with almost any speaker.Paired with high sensitivity speakers the voices of singers have a delicate intimacy that is breathtaking.

If valves are the ultimate, why don't more people own them? The answer is not desire but cost.

Valve amps manufactured in the west start at $4000, and if you know anything about the industry you will realise that increasingly these amps are being manufactured in China and just branded as western valve amps. Why not save yourself a fortune and buy a really remarkable piece of audio art for less than the price of an undistinguished transistor amp? With GST now imposed these exotic imports their price will inevitably rise, so acting now will save you money.

The appearance and sound of this amp is immediately arresting. Your friends will be immediately struck not just by the seductive glow of the valves, but with the timeless elegance of the design. It really stands out from anomalous black boxes. People gather around valve amplifiers like this, just as they do around a fireplace. They have a magnetic attraction.Wow and delight are very common reactions to first encountering such an individually styled amplifier. Valves instantly communicate that you are serious about your sound and are able to discern quality.

If you have an interest in valve amps you probably recognise this classic single ended valve amp: It is essentially a Chinese version of the Unison Research Preludio – a very highly esteemed classic design costing many thousands of dollars (do your research and look it up - you will be impressed).

This elegantly simple single ended design is generally accepted as being an excellent entry into high end audio. Reviews of the above amp are unanimous in proclaiming it to possess the purity of sound that only single ended class A can produce. This is the point at which further improvements start to cost a seriously large amounts of money. The point at which you get around 97% of what is possible for just a tiny percentage of the really exotic competition. You get 97% of the sound and 99% of the looks for just a tiny percentage of the cost.

THIS AMP HAS THE ESSENTIAL DESIGN FEATURES THAT MAKE IT AFFORDABLE EXOTICA:

- Valve (produce a natural fluid sound)

- Class A (the best -no nasty crossover distortion)

- Single ended (if ever overloaded it only produces even order distortion which is pleasing to the ear by producing a full rich melodic sound)

- Minimum feedback (maximises the responsiveness of the amp to transient signals - feedback suppresses dynamics) whilst allowing good control over the speakers

- KT88 Output Valves made by PSVane (considered the most musical high power pentode power valve ever made - thus their popularity in high power American amps)

- JAN (Joint Army& Navy) New old stock preamp valves will last virtually for ever (Replaced the original Shantung valves – sounds clearer & more dynamic)

- Single ended working halves the number of valves and thus halves the cost of tube replacement (either to experiment or upgrade every 10,000 hours)

- Ultra linear working to minimise distortion whilst maximising output (twice the power of triode working)

- Point to point wiring gives the simplest signal path to maintain maximum audio purity

- Dual mono design(each channel has its own transformer to maximise channel separation)

- Premium quality transforms wound for 240 volts (normally 220 volts which is fine for Europe but burns out valves in Australia). This is critical.

- Exceptionally high quality all metal cabinet with twin VU meters really sets it apart as something special

- Gold speaker binding posts for 8 and 4 ohm speakers

- Latest 4^thgeneration of this classic amplifier design

- Complete with original box and packing. Just like new.

Based on the classic Italian Unison Research Preludio design, this amp is something special to listen to. Used as a reference amplifier, it fully justifies its reputation as a Giant Killer. We chose it as a reference amplifier as it outperformed all our transistor amps and a number of much more expensive big name valve amps, such as an Audio Note 300B. It really is that good. It shocked us with just how good it is, especially at revealing subtle inflections in voice and the timbre of instruments.

The amp is in new condition with relatively few hours on the tubes,having been used for demonstration purposes only. It has upgraded New Old Stock(NOS) Joint Air Force and Navy (JAN) input valves and PSVane KT88 power output valves (both are noted for their musicality). The amplifier is indistinguishable from new, and sounds better than new due to the upgraded input valves. The original preamp valves are included including a spare upgrades JAN tube. These should not be needed as I have never had to replace a preamp valve in any of the valve amps I have owned. All inputs are protected by plastic caps (provided).

This is a piece of audio art that will intrigue, fascinate and impress your visitors. Valves are the mark of serious music lovers. The design is compact enough to be displayed to advantage in any location.

For the price of a nondescript black metal box that will depreciate like a rock the moment it leaves the shop, you can enjoy a lifetime of truly great sound, for you are never likely to ever wish to sell something this special. Valves have the same sort of allure as a beautiful flickering fireplace. Captivating to watch, beautiful to listen to. Mesmerising. Double value.

Two quick final notes about getting the most out of this or any valve amp. Whilst fine from cold, the remarkable subtle detail for which they are renowned only really becomes apparent after they are fully warmed up. Only then will the differences become undeniably obvious. The only other thing is that many reviewers report that the greatest differences between a valve and transistor amp are apparent at low listening levels. Their ability to convey enormous detail even when playing quietly comes as a shock at first. It has the effect of grabbing or maintaining our interest even when playing at background levels. A really interesting effect which is often appreciated by other family members. Unlike transistor amps that need to be played loudly to be engaging, the very opposite tends to be true of valve amps.  Please bear these differences in mind.

Re postage: Please provide us with your postcode and we will provide exact cost. 

Collection preferred.

NB Only the amp is for sale.

This amplifier is a pleasure, not just to the ear, but to the eye.

Its performance will truly delight you.