RockridgeSound intros vacuum tube amplifier for iPods
updated 04:35 pm EST, Tue December 23, 2008
Vacuum tube amp for iPods
RockridgeSound has introduced the ISR-VT02 iPod dock/music player/AM-FM tuner that relies on a vacuum tube amplifier as opposed to transistors to power its speakers which deliver a softer, richer sound. Based on the old VTS-384 which also had a vacuum amp, the ISR-VT02 is basically a scaled-down version of the older dock. A two-stage 12AX7 (ECC83) amplifier provides each of the two 3.15-inch speakers with 12W of power.
The ISR-VT02 also sports an AM/FM radio tuner and has an S-Video output that lets users display the video content stored on their iPods on any connected TV. Other connection options include a mini stereo input on the front panel as well as RCA analog inputs on the rear panel, along with a subwoofer output. Frequency response range is rated at 42Hz to 20kHz.
The ISR-VT02 supports all iPod and iPod touch devices. The ISR-VT02 will become available in Japan on Christmas Day, December 25th, priced at the equivalent of about $385. [via Impress]
