Monoprice Tube Amplifiers – First Look
All Images Credit: Monoprice
Introduction
The tube amplifier has seen a resurgence in recent years due to the warm, pleasing sound that only a tube amplifier can offer. The Monoprice Pure Tube Amplifier, shown above, utilizes four EL84 tubes for the power output stage and three 6N3 tubes for the preamplifier stage to deliver that rich, full-bodied tube sound. This is no hybrid, with a solid state power amplifier stage! This is a full-blown, all tube amplifier. The black panels, lighted VU meter, and the warm glow of the exposed tubes present a retro look, which enhances any home environment. This all-tube power amplifier has all the features to meet the needs of today’s music enthusiasts!
So you wanted that tube sound? Well, Monoprice can fix you right up with four unbelievabely inexpensive choices between $149.99 and $359.99 at powers between 10 watts and 50 watts RMS per channel. Things do not get any less expensive or more full featured. All support Bluetooth® and for all you tube and vinyl enthusiasts the top of the line model 27222 has a built in tube MM phono amplifier for that all tube sound. To cap it off they all come with a ‘sexy’ VU meter, free shipping, a one year warranty and phone support.
No they are not top of the line, (or even middle of the line), audiophile tube amplifiers that cost many 1000’s of dollars, but they are within the reach of the average mortals purse. They are all great value, have solid technical specifications, that “tube sound” and enough power to drive many modern medium/high efficiency speakers. Great for stereo music in medium sized rooms but not really for movies.
All models below the 27222 are hybrid and use tube pre-amplifiers to create that “tube sound” driving Class AB solid-state power amplifiers.
The Models:
- Model 27222 – Monoprice 10 Watts RMS (4 ohm) Pure Tube Stereo Amplifier with Bluetooth V4.0 aptX, Line, and Phono Inputs – $359.99. (My personal pick, especially for vinyl enthusiasts, if you have high efficiency speakers and don’t listen to your music at “ear bleed” levels)
- Model 16153 – Monoprice 50 Watt RMS (4 ohm) Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier with Line level inputs Bluetooth V4.0 aptX and Line level Output – $164.99. (Yes it is hybrid with solid-state class AB power amplifiers and has no phono input, but it has plenty of power to drive most speakers)
- Model 38360 – Monoprice 25 Watts RMS (8 ohm) Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier 2019 Edition with Bluetooth V2.1+EDR, Line level, Optical, Coaxial, and USB Inputs, and Subwoofer line level output – $149.99. (Middle of the road hybrid with a solid-state Class AB power amplifier with great input flexibility)
- Model 13194 – Monoprice 15 Watts RMS (4 ohm) Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth V4.0 aptX and Line level inputs – $143.99. (The basic model but it still gives you just enough Class AB hybrid power and wi-fi and line level inputs)
All amplifiers have respectable technical specifications in terms of distortion (0.02% to 1.0%), frequency response (20-20KHz +- 2dB), signal-to noise ratios of typically 85dB and treble and bass tone controls (+- 10dB).
Even if you are a hobbyist and an electronics savvy do-it-yourself builder, building something similar for their asking price is a real challenge, not to mention just how much time it would take you.
Click on the model numbers above to see the full details of each amplifier.
