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iTube - Vacuum tube amp for your iPod

Analog

Analog

Lifer
Want to be able to listen to your iPod in style? Want that luscious warm analogue sound combined with the ease of use of digital technology?

We present the Fatman iTube Valve Dock.

This unit features a docking station that is compatible with all iPods (except Shuffle).

You can control the iPod functions via the remote control ? allowing you to sit back and relax whilst enjoying your favourite music and movies (yes, you can watch the movies and images on your TV too !)

In addition to this we have developed a matching valve amplifier. This provides the classic audio characteristics of valves, improving the listening experience and adding value to your iPod system.

The amplifier can also take alternative sound sources to allow for more audio options as well as a video output to connect video enabled iPods to your TV!

http://www.fat-man.co.uk/docs/product/itube_1.htm
 
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
 
You need a good source to blow the dough on a tube amp. Portable players just don't provide that.
 
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

They can come close but never exactly the same as a good quality real valve amp.
 
Originally posted by: Journer
digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

How wrong can you get?

Solid state will NEVER have the warmth and tone of analog vacuum tubes.
 
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

You couldn't be further from the truth..although I use solid state for my bass rig (GK 800RBIII) and Peavey 5150 (tube) for my guitar rig.
 
Originally posted by: ruffilb
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

I'm considering buying a http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT50-Combo-Amp?sku=483173
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about the AVT series. They have a tube preamp which is nice.

You may also want to concider looking at a used Marshall all tube amp.

I bought an 1984 JCM800 for $400, has two channels, all tube, reverb and an effects pass though (which I don't use anyways).

 
Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Originally posted by: ruffilb
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

I'm considering buying a http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT50-Combo-Amp?sku=483173
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about the AVT series. They have a tube preamp which is nice.

You may also want to concider looking at a used Marshall all tube amp.

I bought an 1984 JCM800 for $400, has two channels, all tube, reverb and an effects pass though (which I don't use anyways).
Click to expand...


Stay far FAR away from the AVT series...
 
Originally posted by: Platypus
Originally posted by: Journer
digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

How wrong can you get?

Solid state will NEVER have the warmth and tone of analog vacuum tubes.
Click to expand...

While that is true, you would be hard-pressed to find tubes that can reproduce low bass as well as a solid state amp.

Different boats for different folks... cough... bi-amp... cough ;P
 
Originally posted by: Platypus
Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Originally posted by: ruffilb
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

I'm considering buying a http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT50-Combo-Amp?sku=483173
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about the AVT series. They have a tube preamp which is nice.

You may also want to concider looking at a used Marshall all tube amp.

I bought an 1984 JCM800 for $400, has two channels, all tube, reverb and an effects pass though (which I don't use anyways).
Click to expand...


Stay far FAR away from the AVT series...
Click to expand...

I have an early 90's Marshall 8040 Valvestate, which I told you about. 😉 It really is a nice amp, although it didn't sound much better than the cheapy 15w Fender I had.

I like the Marshall because it isn't noisy, and it does sound great. But I can't wait to add that TS9. Would have got it today, but I had to contact Musiciansfriend AGAIN to make sure they ship it out. Now I got to wait till tomorrow. :frown:
 
Originally posted by: Howard
As far as I'm concerned tubes only add 2nd order harmonic distortion.
Click to expand...

Which is all they do. People who worship the tube are being silly. You may like the distortion, but that can be added with a digital filter, or if you're really picky you could use a stolid state analog filter to create similar distortion.
 
Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Originally posted by: ruffilb
Originally posted by: Journer
pffft...tube amps are overrated...i used to have one for my bass...switched over to a hartke and ill never look back...digital can reproduce tube sounds...so wtf is the point?
Click to expand...

I'm considering buying a http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-AVT50-Combo-Amp?sku=483173
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about the AVT series. They have a tube preamp which is nice.

You may also want to concider looking at a used Marshall all tube amp.

I bought an 1984 JCM800 for $400, has two channels, all tube, reverb and an effects pass though (which I don't use anyways).
Click to expand...

Or a used all tube Carvin. They are cheap, and sound great.
 
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: Howard
As far as I'm concerned tubes only add 2nd order harmonic distortion.
Click to expand...

Which is all they do. People who worship the tube are being silly. You may like the distortion, but that can be added with a digital filter, or if you're really picky you could use a stolid state analog filter to create similar distortion.
Click to expand...

It's not only the sound, it's the feel... you cannot reproduce the feeling of tubes with 0's and 1's.
 
If many seemingly sane Anandtech users are confused as to the function of a tube amplifier, how is the iPod buying public supposed to feel about this device?
 
Originally posted by: NanoStuff
If many seemingly sane Anandtech users are confused as to the function of a tube amplifier, how is the iPod buying public supposed to feel about this device?
Click to expand...

It's a debate that has raged for decades, long before Anand(Anandtwech's founder) was even born. Audiophiles still debate this very issue.
 
Originally posted by: Platypus
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: Howard
As far as I'm concerned tubes only add 2nd order harmonic distortion.
Click to expand...

Which is all they do. People who worship the tube are being silly. You may like the distortion, but that can be added with a digital filter, or if you're really picky you could use a stolid state analog filter to create similar distortion.
Click to expand...

It's not only the sound, it's the feel... you cannot reproduce the feeling of tubes with 0's and 1's.
Click to expand...

i think you have to have soul to realize this. apparently normal people can't feel the difference.
 
Why would you want to get such a huge amp for your portable player? That seems quite silly.
You can get a real tube amp with a nice cd player or a small setup computer.
If you want something for your ipod, you should get a portable amp, like the cmoy, pav2, little dot micro+, etc..
You can get a little tube amp for $99.
I have the highly regarded at head-fi.org little dot micro+ with the Etymotic ER-4S. Absolutely amazing combination. For once, things actually start to sound convincingly real! I'd often find myself listening to a lot of my neighbor's weird audiophile cd's. I don't just listen to music now. I listen for the sound experience.
 
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Why would you want to get such a huge amp for your portable player? That seems quite silly.
You can get a real tube amp with a nice cd player or a small setup computer.
If you want something for your ipod, you should get a portable amp, like the cmoy, pav2, little dot micro+, etc..
You can get a little tube amp for $99.
I have the highly regarded at head-fi.org little dot micro+ with the Etymotic ER-4S. Absolutely amazing combination. For once, things actually start to sound convincingly real! I'd often find myself listening to a lot of my neighbor's weird audiophile cd's. I don't just listen to music now. I listen for the sound experience.
Click to expand...

it's a status thing in this case. look at the source you're playing from.
 
Originally posted by: fisher
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Why would you want to get such a huge amp for your portable player? That seems quite silly.
You can get a real tube amp with a nice cd player or a small setup computer.
If you want something for your ipod, you should get a portable amp, like the cmoy, pav2, little dot micro+, etc..
You can get a little tube amp for $99.
I have the highly regarded at head-fi.org little dot micro+ with the Etymotic ER-4S. Absolutely amazing combination. For once, things actually start to sound convincingly real! I'd often find myself listening to a lot of my neighbor's weird audiophile cd's. I don't just listen to music now. I listen for the sound experience.
Click to expand...

it's a status thing in this case. look at the source you're playing from.
Click to expand...

Agreed. My new etymotic/amp setup was the first setup I've had where I could hear quite a large difference from my sources.
 
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