14 DAY TRIAL // I confess that it did cross my mind to rant a bit about all this tube-thing which seems to invade more and more the audio industry related to hi-tech gear such as iPod and the like. So far, I will cheer up and tell you about the first tube-amplified iPod docking station. Thanko, the Japanese Thanko (wasn't really necessary, was it?) has begun shipping the iBlueTube: still not able to be called "all-tube" as in the guitar amps world, but tube-amped nevertheless.
The design is quite different from what we have been used to so far, and in the dim light this dock looks really awesome due to the prism-illumination effect obtained by lighting the "glass" triangular prism extremities of the iBlueTube with LED's. Need I say these LEDs are blue? I thought so...
The iBlueTube runs on twp Philips 6922 tubes capable of amping your iPod (Nano, Mini, Picture or Video versions) signal up to 12W. 2 x 12W because the docking amp is stereo, so you don't lose a thing. The valves will process signal in the 20Hz-30kHz range with a signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB so the sound will definitely be pretty decent if not even hi-standard.
The main unit also houses the USB connector, the S-video and RCA outputs as well and it needs an AC power source to operate its 60dB gain amp. Weighing a mere 650 grams and available in white, the iBlueTube comes in a box with AC adapter, speaker cables and iPod dock adapters for the different devices you might have in possession. Add the remote control and the price of $449 and then think whether you want it or not.