HE 2006

Bob Reina stopped me in the halls and asked, "Have you heard the water-cooled triodes?" Huh? Turns out the $59,000/pair Von Gaylord Audio Uni Signature Editions monoblock power amplifiers use exterior transmission-grade tubes submerged in an oil coolant, I presume and you can really see the thermal motion of the coolant, so I'm guessing the tubes run hot.

The sound certainly was, as played through Von Gaylord's The Legend loudspeakers ($3995/pair), Female vocals were precise and detailed, with the requisite amount of body. The system sounded extremely natural and relaxed, which is no mean feat at a show.