Tube Power Amp Reviews

Manufacturer's Comment

Editor: Comments on HR's Wretched Excesses: I have failed miserably trying to be tame. Meditation, yoga, psychoanalysis, group therapy, prayer, a frontal lobotomy, and jogging, have all been tried and proved ineffective. I apologize to all whom I have offended with my prose, and ask their forgiveness. No matter how hard I try, my excitement and enthusiasm overpower me. Any suggestions from physicians in the readership?

Comment on the Glorious Folly #1: To stimulate further the tube vs transistor debate, it should be noted that the Futterman OTL-1 uses a circuit created in 1954 with a modern, electronically-regulated, power supply. We are 14 years from the 21st century, but are not yet at the limits of tube technology, which still appears to dominate the state-of-the-art in musical reproduction. Recent research indicates that it is reasonable to assume that we will not see the maturity of tube circuitry until the next century.

Comment on the Glorious Folly #2: There are enough people in this world who put the creation of the illusion of music in the home at such a high level, that they enthusiastically support the existence of $12,000 amplifiers. (There is a six-month waiting list.) $12,000 is a nice Japanese car, a sailboat, the down payment on a small home, or a trip around the world. I am thankful that we can competently serve these people's need—especially since we share it.

The Black Hole Mod #1: The Mod Squad's Steve McCormack has tweaked the Black Hole water tower so that it is now filled with 10,000 gallons of Cuvee Dom Perignon 1954. This gives the upper octave a little extra dry sparkle. Mike Kaye would also like to extend his personal invitation to everyone in the audience to come to his home, audition this esoteric amplifier, and share a free 12-course dinner. Call him so he can arrange to send the Lyric limo to pick you up. (Offer ends September 1 1986.)

Wrestling with the perimeters of audio technology is still an art form. NYAL has a unique vision of the musical illusion we would like to create in our customer's living room. What makes the high-end audio community is that different companies have such diverse opinions about this illusion. Why does the pursuit of a musical illusion arouse such passions? According to William James, there would be mo passion without illusion!

This fall, NYAL will open a demonstration center in New York City so that music lovers may experience both the Futterman and Moscode electronics in an excessively pleasant environment. Please come and visit.

Thanking you I remain wretchedly and excessively committed to the glorious folly of creating the illusion of music in the home.—Harvey Rosenberg, Elmsford, NY