Expensive. Very Expensive: the 2B Tube Radio.

Among all the high-end audio gear, tube-powered devices have a rank of their own, no matter whether we're talking about headphone amplifiers or high-power ones, or even radios. Tubes have always exerted a mysterious attraction for both enthusiasts and audiophiles and despite the fact that they represent a past age in the history of technology, a lot of people are fond of them and still spend a heap of money on all-tube gadgets.

Among the increasing quantity of audio equipment running on vacuum tubes, it looks like radios are once more gaining some ground.

Combining the old valve technology with the new circuitry available in the industry, great things are destined to come to life; and one of them is the 2B Tube Radio from designer Jonas Damon, one radio working on tubes and promising to bring to life again that warm sound of the 50's.

But the 2B Tube Radio is one piece of audio gadgetry that's been made for those willing to pay the price: while selling for $550 a pop, this tabletop radio isn't on your everyday shopping list. Nevertheless, if you're the kind of guy who would appreciate a clean and straightforward retro look and the special way all-tube audio gear sounds, it might prove that the 2B Tube Radio was a good and successful idea.

The 2B Tube Radio is completely analog and there is nothing digital to it; and this may be its strongest point for all those purists out there forever looking for the ultimate sonic purity and acoustic bliss. Little info comes about the 2B Tube Radio: it sports a vintage open-back architecture so you can actually see the three tubes it runs on and features an input so you can amplify the sound from your MP3 player through it and enjoy a truly warm final stage valve amplification.

Preorders for Jonas Damon's 2B Tube Radio can already be placed online and shipping should start any day now.

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